Western Courier

Issue date: 8/17/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Craig Finlay

Smokers in Illinois will be forced out to the streets in January, as Illinois has become the 19th state to sign a statewide smoking ban into law.

The ban will go into effect Jan. 1, 2008, and will make smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants, illegal.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed the law amid cheers and celebrations at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago at the end of July; however, outside of the happy anti-smoking crowds, not everyone is celebrating.

Many bar and restaurant owners say they feel the ban will result in a loss of business the establishments cannot afford. Carol Livermore, owner of Jackson Street Pub in Macomb, had only negative things to say about the governor's choice.

"It's a horrible decision," Livermore said.

Livermore is not alone in her criticism. Many restaurant and bar owners have spoken out against the bill since it was proposed, but Illinois lawmakers have cited concern for public health as the premier reason for the new law.

Blagojevich said one of the main issues considered when passing the bill was the health of those who work in bars and restaurants and the effects of secondhand smoke.

Amber Leigh, junior elementary education major, said she is eagerly awaiting a smoke-free society.

"I work at a restaurant, so I'm all for it," Leigh said. "We talk about it at the restaurant, the waitresses do. None of us can wait!"

Leigh is not a smoker, but even some who regularly enjoy tobacco are looking forward to the change.

"I am a smoker myself, but it will be nice to work in an environment without smoke," said Chelsea Creasey, a waitress at Cookie's Diner in Macomb.

She added she does think the restaurant may lose business.

"A lot of our customers come in and drink coffee and smoke," Creasey said. "I can see both sides to it - if we have the choice to buy cigarettes, we should have the choice to smoke them."

Lawmakers said another reason for the statewide ban is to ease pressure on individual bars and communities; if the entire state is smoke-free, no single business will have to make that decision and potentially lose customers.

However, in a community such as Macomb, where Iowa is not far away, there are local fears some may cross the state line or choose other alternatives.

"There is some worry people will go somewhere else or just smoke at home," Creasey said.

However, Blagojevich has repeatedly said his main concern is public health in Illinois, and he stood by that statement at the law-signing celebration.

"This law will save lives," Blagojevich said.

The law will require smokers to leave any public establishment and move at least 15 feet away from the entrance to smoke. Individuals found in violation of the law will be fined from $50 to $250, and businesses that break the law will be fined $250 for a first-time offense.

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