Penalties for persons under 21 who present false identification to purchase alcohol might double if the Illinois General Assembly passes House Bill 3361.

The bill would increase the offense from a class B to a class A misdemeanor.

DeKalb County State’s Attorney Philip DiMarzio said the increased penalty to a class A misdemeanor would mean a maximum of one year in prison and up to a $1,000 fine, as opposed to the maximum six months in prison and $500 fine attached to a class B misdemeanor.

But DiMarzio said “virtually no one” receives the maximum fines associated with misdemeanors.

“Maximum penalties are usually reserved for repeat offenders who have extensive records,” DiMarzio said. “But individuals could qualify for probation or supervision (if convicted for a misdemeanor).”

Maureen Cavanagh, a representative of the House Republican Press Office, said HB 3361 is presently in its “infant stage” and has been referred to the House Rules Committee.

Cavanagh added the bill is a proposed amendment to the Liquor Control Act of 1934 and was introduced to the House March 23.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said he “wasn’t familiar with the bill,” but disputed its validity.

“It’s hard to say a penalty six months longer would be that intimidating as a deterrent,” Sparrow said. “I don’t think that if the bill’s intent is to deter offenders, it would be that effective.

“The bill would have to be a lot stiffer to have any effect,” he said. “(False identification) is a problem, there’s no doubt, and it’s exaggerated here in DeKalb with a large student population.”

HB 3361 is sponsored by Rep. J. Phillip Novak, D-Kankakee, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday.