Governor Bruce Rauner has signed legislation banning the sale of synthetic drugs known as "bath salts" in Illinois.
Rauner traveled Monday to the courthouse in Taylorville to sign the bill aimed at curbing what he called an "epidemic" afflicting rural communities.
Most states have passed laws to ban the chemicals, which mimic the effects of powerful drugs like cocaine.
The bill that takes effect January 1st makes selling bath salts a felony punishable with a fine of up to $150,000.