‘Drano bill’ heads to governor

SPRINGFIELD — A proposal that would eliminate the need for customers to provide identification and sign a registration log when purchasing common household drain cleaners, pesticides and paints is in the hands of Gov. Pat Quinn.

The plan was approved by the Illinois Senate Tuesday by a 56-0 vote.

State Sen. Pamela Althoff, a McHenry Republican and sponsor of the plan, said a law approved last year that created the registry was an example of a good idea with unintended consequences.

The law, which took effect Jan. 1, requires consumers to provide identification and sign a registration log if they purchase caustic chemicals. Failure to do so could result in felony charges, and stores that fail to cooperate could face up to a $1,500 fine.

However, the vague language of the law had some retailers making customers sign the log for all chemical products, which has resulted in long lines and upset shoppers.

“We had no idea that it would also apply to common household products, so we just had to fix that,” Althoff said.

The original law was approved after reports of people throwing caustic drain cleaner into victims’ faces.