Legislation looks to lift smoking bans

Kurt Hill remembers when the state ban on smoking in all institutions to take effect.

As the owner of Tap Hill in Genoa, he knew that the bar can take a hit in business, if the regulars are no longer allowed to have a with a drink, which is why he ignored the law. But after two penalties and the threat of losing a license, Hill completed regulation.

Five years later, there is a chance, such as creating Tap Hill could pull out the ashtray again.
State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, has introduced legislation in Springfield that will give municipalities the choice of whether or not they want to offer smoking licenses for bars, casinos, a veteran of communication and adult entertainment clubs.

Similar measures failed in the past and support may be lacking, and even once reluctant Hill sees no need to bring smoking back to bars.

"I sort of clear air ... most people are accustomed to it," Hill said. "I do not know if it was good or bad for business. Nobody has the money anyway."

DeLuca said he was not trying to circumvent the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, but to give power back to local authorities. To prevent the spread of benefits, DeLuca included stringent requirements for the organization to be eligible.

The bar for a license, he must prove at least 10 percent of revenue comes from food sales. Any institution seeking a license must notify the employees and to establish air filtration systems that meet international standards of Mechanical Code.

"I support the Illinois smoking law, I just feel that it is unreasonable" DeLuca said. "This is about enabling companies and municipalities to decide whether this is good."

Even if the proposal passed DeLuca of Springfield, there can be little support from the district and local authorities.
DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen said that there is little chance the city will offer a smoking license and called the proposal "irresponsible." Povlsen has long advocated a ban on smoking in public places, even working on the introduction of restrictions on smoking in DeKalb, before he was mayor, and before the state took up the matter.
"I am very disappointed in our legislators that they would even consider it," said Povlsen. "Tell them to work on the finances."
Creating an exception can also create a slippery slope and negate one of the most stringent smoking laws in the country, said Greg Morris, director of environmental health of DeKalb County.

County Health Department is responsible for complying with the smoking ban and allow exceptions would make it more difficult to identify criminals, he said Morris. He also said that "guarantees" such as air filtration systems remove the smoke, but leave harmful chemicals in the air.
"All the evidence explained the consequences," said Maurice smoking in public places. "It would be detrimental to anyone, where the license will be smoking."

Past efforts have not succeeded in resolving smoking in these establishments. Although Bob Gosnell appreciates the thought, he sees no need to smoke.

Gosnell, a trustee at the American Legion Post 66 DeKalb, said he heard the argument that smoking in veterans' organizations, because their services, but he does not believe people should be above the law.

Gosnell said the withdrawal could lead to an unfair playing field, and even as a smoker, he grew to enjoy the atmosphere of smoke-free.

"The law is the law, and only because we're veterans does not mean that we should be able to break it," he said. "It's not a problem. We could discuss this, but I do not think that we will never vote for him."
One city official more open to this idea, though not fully supported.

Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy said that it should be a local issue and is something Council could discuss if it did not work, but it will be a difficult decision.
"Since the smoking ban came into effect, I keep hearing people say that they are happy, even smokers," said Mundy. "I would not say no to it immediately .... We had our sweet time and look at it six ways to Sunday."