ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING ON LEGISLATION THAT ADDRESSES THE RISING NUMBER OF FENTANYL RELATED DEATHS. 

ONE BILL, SPONSORED BY SENATOR ROBERT PETERS OF CHICAGO, LETS PHARMACISTS AND OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS GIVE OUT DRUG TESTING STRIPS THAT CHECK FOR FENTANYL IN A DRUG.

SENATOR LAURA ELLMAN OF NAPERVILLE IS SPONSORING ONE OF THE MEASURES, WHICH OFFERS TWO CHANGES TO STATE LAW.

ANOTHER MEASURE MAKES SOMEONE SEEKING HELP FOR AN OVERDOSE IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION FOR HAVING SMALL AMOUNTS OF FENTANYL. FENTANYL IS A SYNTHETIC OPIATE THAT IS UP TO 50 TIMES STRONGER THAN HEROIN.