More Control. In Illinois

Buying a bottle of Drano won’t be the same in Illinois beginning Sunday.A new state law requires customers purchasing products containing sodium hydroxide, or lye, and other corrosive chemicals to show a legitimate photo ID and to write their name, address and date of birth. And the store clerk will log the time and date of purchase.Intrusive? Illinois lawmakers said Friday they agree that regulating drain cleaners and other products is needed to protect the public from those who may use them to harm.“The fact of the matter is there are evil people in the world who will abuse the most normal, everyday household products for sinister aims,” Illinois Rep. Rich Morthland, R-Cordova, said.That fear hadn’t yet reached a few local hardware store managers contacted Friday, who think the law is mostly a nuisance.“Now, we have to treat our customers like felons,” Butch Trevor, owner of Trevor True Value in Moline, said.“It’s going to be a bother for people,” Amy Whitcomb, manager of Handy True Value in Rock Island, said.She’s talked to her regular customers about the law, and she said the general reaction is, “What more control can the government have on us?”Here's why:Illinois state Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, co-sponsored the bill to crack down on methamphetamine, saying drain cleaners are among numerous household products used to manufacture the drug.OF COURSE!! Make it difficult for the general public to purchase common household products, when the druggies will simply steal or figure out something else to make their drugs with.