* Tribune…

Illinois voters could get a say whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana if lawmakers decide to put the question on November ballots.

A state Senate committee advanced the idea on Wednesday, but a ballot question would be non-binding. That means it would work like a statewide public opinion poll and wouldn’t legalize marijuana even if a majority of voters approve. Lawmakers who want to legalize the drug could get a political boost, though, if voters favor it. […]

In voting against the ballot question, state Sen. Chris Nybo, R-Elmhurst, named property tax reductions, redistricting reform and term limits for party leaders as questions he’d rather see on the ballot.

“Of all of the issues that we as a state are facing and that we have the opportunity to present to our citizens in terms of an advisory referendum, I would frankly put this one very low down the list,” Nybo said.

* There was an objection to the question’s language, saying it should stop at “21 years of age” and not include the subsequent mention of tobacco and alcohol, but isn’t that important?…

“Do you support the legalization of possession and use of marijuana by persons who are at least 21 years of age, subject to regulation and taxation that is similar to the regulation and taxation of tobacco and alcohol?”

* Tribune…

Gun control advocates are renewing their push to require Illinois firearm stores to get state licenses, saying federal regulations do not go far enough to ensure sales are handled properly.

Legislation to license dealers cleared the state Senate last year, but stalled in the House amid fierce opposition from gun rights groups. They contend that licensing would drive up the price of purchasing a firearm by as much as $300.

Democrats in the Senate are hoping to calm those fears, advancing companion legislation on Wednesday to limit the cost of licensing fees to $1,000 for a five-year period.

* Press release…

State Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) along with Attorney General Lisa Madigan and other allied organizations are pushing new legislation, the Illinois Generic Drug Pricing Fairness Act which would stop companies from making essential drug prices too high.

“News of Martin Shkreli’s Turing Pharmaceuticals buying a vital AIDS medication and raising the prices from $13.50 to $700 a tablet shocked the world,” said Rep. Guzzardi. “But the sad truth is, that kind of price gouging happens all the time. In fact, more than 400 generic drugs saw price increases of more than 1000 percent between 2008 and 2015. That’s unacceptable, and it’s time we make it illegal.”

The legislation gives the Illinois Attorney General’s office the power to put the brakes on price gouging of essential off-patent or generic drugs. Drug companies that increase prices sharply must show documentation that they are raising prices due to increased production costs. If they can’t do so, they will face civil penalties including restitution to customers and fines of up to $10,000 per violation.

Maryland passed a generic drug bill in 2017, and over half of state legislatures in the country introduced similar bills.

“Out-of-control drug prices have a profound impact on our budget, as the state spends billions each year on prescription drugs through the Medicaid program,” Guzzardi said. “This bill will curtail an egregious practice that’s exploiting the sick and the vulnerable for corporate profit, and bankrupting our state in the meantime.”

In many instances, generic drugs play an important role in keeping healthcare costs down. But a scathing, bipartisan US Senate report described the process by which some generic companies gain monopolies over essential drugs and raise the prices exorbitantly. The Generic Drug Pricing Fairness Act takes aim specifically at this behavior.

The bill, HB4900, has been assigned to the House Human Services Committee.

* Press release…

The Annie LeGere Law is another step closer to implementation as an amendment sponsored by State Senator Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) seeks to increase participation of medical professionals in the program that would place epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) in the hands of law enforcement across the state. The amendment was approved unanimously by the State Senate on February 21.

“The EpiPen program is a vital public health measure that has a proven need, and can truly mean the difference between life and death in the case of a fatal allergic reaction,” said Nybo. “Elmhurst Police Department has already budgeted for the EpiPens and extensive device training—the only challenge presented is the hesitance from health professionals to provide the prescriptions and approve the training courses. After hearing their feedback, I believe Senate Bill 2226 will offer them the liability protection and coverage they need to join our initiative.”

The amendment specifies that any physician, physician’s assistant or advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority who issues a prescription or standing order for epinephrine to an Illinois police department will not be subject to civil or professional liability for law enforcement’s misuse of the medication.

The Annie LeGere Law, effective as of January 2017, allows for Illinois police officers to carry and administer EpiPens on duty as an emergency measure to reverse life-threatening allergic reactions following proper training and procedural requirements. The legislation was inspired by Elmhurst’s own Annie LeGere, a 13-year-old who passed away from a fatal allergic reaction that could have been prevented by epinephrine.

“Pending the approval of the House of Representatives and the signature of the Governor, law enforcement officers could begin training on EpiPens and carrying them this year,” said Nybo. “We’ve suffered losses in past years from police departments being without these life-saving devices. Together with members of law enforcement, state and local government, the medical community and the public, let’s all take a step in the right direction—and as soon as possible.”

Senate Bill 2226 was approved by the State Senate, and now State Representative Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park) will sponsor it in the House of Representatives.

* Related…

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* Editorial: Stay angry, kids, and fight for saner gun laws

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