SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois will be the first state in the country to test out a pilot program that will put locking devices on some prescription painkillers to make it harder for people to abuse the drugs.

The numerical locking devices will be similar to those used on gym lockers and will be placed on the pill bottles.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the measure into law this week. It takes effect in 2016.

The one-year program will put the locks on painkillers that contain hydrocodone, also known as Vicodin or Norco.

State Sen. Iris Martinez was one of the sponsors of the bill. The Chicago Democrat says "too many Illinoisans become addicted to these powerful medications."

She says the new program will help stop those without prescriptions from using the drug.