Lincoln Couple Pushed For Bill After Son Died

Legislation prohibiting the sale of dietary supplements containing the herbal stimulant ephedra passed the General Assembly late Thursday, paving the way for Illinois to become the first state in the nation to institute an outright ban.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has pledged to quickly sign Senate Bill 1418, which passed the House, 117-0. The Senate passed the bill 56-0 in March.

Ephedra-based products have been blamed for dozens of deaths, including that of 16-year-old Lincoln Community High School football player Sean Riggins, who took it along with caffeinated soda, believing his athletic performance would be enhanced.

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