IL House to Vote on Bill that Will Allow Towns to Ban Smoking [04/15-2]

Excerpts from: Towns could get more control over smoking

By DAVE MCKINNEY Sun-Times Springfield [04/12/05]

Health groups won a key battle in the state Senate Monday as lawmakers voted to allow all Illinois towns, rather than a select few, to decide where to allow smoking. Since 1989, when the state approved the Clean Indoor Air Act that permitted smoking only in designated areas, 20 municipalities were allowed to keep their stricter no-smoking laws that were enacted previously. The rest of the state functioned under the milder state law written partly by the tobacco industry. Though opposed by retailers, restaurants and gas station operators, the measure backed on Monday in the Senate vote would give all towns the license to ban smoking entirely in all public places.

The bill passed 41-13, well beyond the 30 votes needed for approval. It now moves to the House.

"This is a simple matter of fairness and local control. There's no compelling reason for state, top-down control on smoking regulations," said Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago), lead sponsor of Senate Bill 254. Critics complained that the measure could create hardships for businesses, such as casinos where smoking and plunking quarters in slot machines often go hand in hand. Others said the state's existing no-smoking law provides enough safeguards.

"There's adequate protection for those people who desire to be separated from the secondhand smoke issue," said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville), who voted against the bill.

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