McHenry Times

The House Republican Majority has issued the following press release:

Candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives 66th District Connie Cain called on incumbent politician Illinois State Representative Suzanne Ness to explain her support for dangerous legislation to reduce the penalty for possession of opioids that are responsible for an unprecedented increase in overdose deaths in the last month in McHenry County.

Last week, the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) put out a warning to residents that there has been a 250 percent increase in the number of suspected overdose deaths in McHenry County in the last 28 days compared to the prior 28 days, according to the department's opioid surveillance. 

“My opponent’s decision to vote for a bill that reduces the penalty for drugs that are killing so many people in McHenry County isn’t just appalling - it’s deadly dangerous,” Cain said. “Rep. Ness’ vote to reduce possession penalties, and therefore lack of assistance for opioids like fentanyl and heroin that are ripping families apart, shows just how out of touch she is with the wants and needs of the people in our district.”

The controversial legislation, House Bill 3447, only narrowly won approval in the Illinois House of Representatives,. The legislation would make possession of less than 3 mg of these drugs a misdemeanor, as opposed to a felony offense. According to the DEA, 2 mg of fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, is a lethal dose. In the last year, fentanyl has killed 110,000 people nationally, and in 2021, 63 people died from fentanyl-related overdoses along in Kane County where Ness served on the Kane County Board. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for American adults ages 18-45.

The legislation also stipulates that multiple misdemeanor charges for possession of opioids cannot result in stiffer penalties, meaning that repeat offenders would be treated the same as first time offenders. Opponents argue that the measure would make it easier for drug dealers to evade prosecution, and continue flooding our neighborhoods with life-threatening drugs.

“We need a representative who is willing to put saving lives over political alliances,” Cain said. “I will make addressing this opioid crisis a top priority if elected in November.”