Bloc opposition to drain cleaner law surfaces

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Updated: February 20, 2012 8:24AM

A new law regulating industrial strength drain cleaner has annoyed some area consumers, including customers at Olson Ace Hardware in Franklin Park.

On Jan. 1, Public Act 097-0565 went into effect.

The law requires the purchasers of industrial-grade drain cleaner show identification and fill out a log with their name, address, date and time of purchase, brand, product name and weight.

Violations of the law are punishable by fines of $150 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense and $1,500 for the third and subsequent violations during a 12-month period.

At Olson Ace, 10135 Grand Ave., customers haven’t been happy with the state law said owner Dan Olson.

“They definitely are not embracing the new law,” Olson said. “The law wasn’t really communicated that well to the public.

“They don’t understand why they have to show photo ID and signature and list exactly what they bought.”

While no customers have gotten into an argument with store staff, Olson said customer feedback has “all been negative.”

The law does not apply to lower-grade drain cleaners, such as ones a homeowner might buy.

In other nearby Cook County communities, the reaction hasn’t been quite as strong.

La Grange and Western Springs area customers haven’t been complaining about the new state law, hardware stores report.

The extra paperwork required by the new law is intended to aid police in tracking individuals who commit crimes using dangerous chemicals.

“It hasn’t been too bad for us,” said Scott Enke, a manager at Village True Value Hardware in Western Springs. “We’re actively going along with the new law.

“All of our caustic chemicals are marked. If someone purchases one, it will flag it at the register, the cashier asks to see an ID and then fills out the necessary information.”

Enke said shoppers have been cooperative.

“I have not heard one negative word from anybody at our store. When you tell them what it’s for, they’re pretty compliant,” he said. “So far, they’re fine with it.”

Customers also have stepped in line at the Ace Hardware store in LaGrange Park, said assistant manager Ken Koren.

“Since Jan. 2, we’ve sold 60-70 bottles of drain opener, and we’ve had no complaints from customers,” Koren said. “We sell a lot of it and have signs posted about the new law, and people are abiding by it.”

While the registration slows down the check-out process, Koren said the store didn’t consider eliminating caustic chemicals from shelves to avoid the hassle as some larger chains have done.

“It never even crossed our mind. It’s a commodity we sell very much of, and people expect us to have it,” Koren said. “It’s just another step in the transaction process.”

Tom Peters, an employee at Hortons Ace Hardware in La Grange, said he wasn’t aware of the new law.

But after checking with cashiers, he said a screen comes up when customers are buying drain cleaner or related products.

“There hasn’t been any resistance,” Peters said. “People are just purchasing it like they have all the time.”

Staff writer Jane Michaels contributed to this report.