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Resident urges Morton to ban kratom; police say they are coordinating with county health officials
Summary
At a Morton Village Board meeting, resident Laurie Schope urged the board to ban kratom after describing her son's addiction; the police chief said the department has noted kratom in local overdose reports and will meet with the Tazewell County Health Department to discuss next steps.
Laurie Schope, a resident of Mackinac, told the Morton Village Board that kratom products sold at local gas stations and vape shops are “very addictive” and urged the village to consider a ban. "It's being sold in your Amaco gas station, and it's very addictive," Schope said, adding that a derivative she called “7‑OH” can also be purchased over the counter and that her son developed an addiction after receiving a free sample.
Board members thanked Schope for bringing the matter to their attention and indicated they would look into it. The chief of police told the board the department is aware of community concerns, has reviewed overdose reports that sometimes list kratom as the only substance, and has reached out to Megan Hanley at the Tazewell County Health Department. "We are aware of that," the chief said, and staff scheduled a meeting with county health officials to discuss the issue.
Police also said they had reviewed ordinances used by nearby municipalities. The chief said he spoke with East Peoria's mayor and obtained a copy of that city's ordinance; he added that village staff member Pat also has a copy for review. The board did not take formal regulatory action at the meeting.
Trustees and staff noted other jurisdictions in Illinois have moved to restrict kratom sales. Schope cited several towns that have banned the product and urged Morton to follow suit to prevent teens and young adults from gaining easy access. The meeting record shows no formal motion or ordinance introduced on kratom during this session; board members directed staff to review the matter and report back.
Next steps: staff and the police department plan to meet with the Tazewell County Health Department and review existing local ordinances; the board may consider regulatory options at a future meeting.
