Springfield, Ill.-A Chicago area representative who has been in the state legislature for nearly 10 years expects to soon introduce legislation to make sulfuric acid more difficult to buy. Rep. Susana Mendoza confirmed last week that she agreed to sponsor a bill in response to an appeal from the family of a woman who was permanently disfigured by an acid attack. Esperanza Medina has been testifying in court about the attack, her family told the lawmaker. Mendoza’s office said she will introduce the bill during November’s veto session to require a stiffer prison sentence in such cases. Mendoza believes that stiffer penalties could work in the same manner as sales of cold medicines, which are being restricted because of their use in making methamphetamines. She also noted that while gasoline or a hammer could also be used to destroy people’s appearances, those are common consumer items while sulfuric acid is not. Mendoza is chairperson of the international trade and commerce committee, and vice chairperson of the bio-technology committees.
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