LEGISLATION PASSING THE ILLINOIS HOUSE WEDNESDAY REDUCES THE PENALTIES FOR POSSESSING SMALLER AMOUNT OF ILLEGAL DRUGS. 

UNDER THE BILL THAT WAS NARROWLY APPROVED, THOSE BUSTED WITH CERTAIN AMOUNTS OF DRUGS LIKE METH, HEROIN AND COCAINE WILL ONLY BE CHARGED WITH A MISDEMEANOR INSTEAD OF A FELONY AND JAIL TIME. IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE CAROL AMMONS OF URBANA WHO SAYS IT'S TIME TO RIGHT THE WRONGS OF THE FAILED WAR ON DRUGS.

BUT OPPONENTS, LIKE REPRESENTATIVE PATRICK WINDHORST OF HARRISBURG WORRY THIS MAY HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT.

OPPONENTS WORRY THIS MAY BACKFIRE, BY NOT MOTIVATING DRUG USERS ENOUGH TO GET HELP.