Illinois Drug-Free 'Safe Zone' Laws to be Reviewed

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on August 13, 2007

Last week, lawmakers approved a bill that would establish a task force to examine the fairness of existing safe zone laws, which were created to increase punishment for drug offenses that occur near churches, schools, and other public places. Current safe zone laws cover many neighborhoods that contain large populations of minorities, making such individuals more vulnerable to arrest and punishment.

The task force would also recommend whether or not the finely tuned drug laws should be changed.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, who is pushing for the elimination of all safe zone laws, called on State Attorney General Lisa Madigan to hold hearings on the racial disparities in drug enforcement efforts.

Federal data suggests that the black population bears the brunt of more severe punishments for drug offenses. Although 13 percent of drug users in the United States are black, blacks make up approximately one-third of all drug arrests and more than half of the population imprisoned for drug crimes.

In Illinois blacks make up 14 percent of all drug users, but account for two-thirds of those arrested for drug offenses as well as two-thirds of those in prison for drug crimes.

The bill is now in the hands of the Senate.

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