illinois (specifically chicago) no smoking laws

[GHC_Hambone]

You can smoke inside at the restaurant at Arlington? I go there a lot in the summer and I know you can smoke outside, but not inside any of the buildings.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by GHC_Hambone

You can smoke inside at the restaurant at Arlington? I go there a lot in the summer and I know you can smoke outside, but not inside any of the buildings.

I was told that the lounge and sitting areas (not where the food is served) would be exempt, but I will go there and get specific information after Jan. 1st so there is no confusion.

Eric, I sure hope you are right about Sullivan's, but the way I read the statute, there is no way they can pull it off without some type of change to the language of the statute.

[JackSchwartz]

Originally Posted by icehog3

I was told that the lounge and sitting areas (not where the food is served) would be exempt, but I will go there and get specific information after Jan. 1st so there is no confusion.

Eric, I sure hope you are right about Sullivan's, but the way I read the statute, there is no way they can pull it off without some type of change to the language of the statute.

I didn't see much hope for the Sullivan's thing as well. At least I can still smoke at home...oh wait, the wife put a stop to that years ago. DAMN! That's okay, to help ease my pain I'll just go out to my favorite restaurant and get some nice foie gras.....wait, Chicago banned that as well.

Well, for all the Chicago guy and gals here, I'll be seeing you out on the sidewalks of the bars and restaurants (remember to stay 15 feet from the door) smoking our cigars. Enjoy!

Eric

[rumballs]

and don't forget we can't smoke in any public park or beach any more, either

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by JackSchwartz

I didn't see much hope for the Sullivan's thing as well. At least I can still smoke at home...oh wait, the wife put a stop to that years ago. DAMN! That's okay, to help ease my pain I'll just go out to my favorite restaurant and get some nice foie gras.....wait, Chicago banned that as well.

Well, for all the Chicago guy and gals here, I'll be seeing you out on the sidewalks of the bars and restaurants (remember to stay 15 feet from the door) smoking our cigars. Enjoy!

Eric

If you make it out to the Western 'burbs, Eric, feel free to stop by...I got no wife, so we can smoke it up!

[brigey]

I know that this may sound a little lame right now, but why do we let this happen? As voters, we have the right to oppose this kind of legislation BS . If we don't speak up it will be other rights that we enjoy today that will soon be gone. We fought in wars to keep our freedoms from foreign powers and then we allow some group of misinformed zealots take away our rights in this country without much of a fight. What are we thinking? Where will it end? or soon to be.....

Sorry to go off on this in this forum, but I see American's losing their rights, one at a time, and we stand still and act like we are unable to do anything to stop this from happening.

[brigey]

Originally Posted by mmblz

and don't forget we can't smoke in any public park or beach any more, either

What makes it public if you can't smoke there?

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by brigey

I know that this may sound a little lame right now, but why do we let this happen? As voters, we have the right to oppose this kind of legislation BS . If we don't speak up it will be other rights that we enjoy today that will soon be gone. We fought in wars to keep our freedoms from foreign powers and then we allow some group of misinformed zealots take away our rights in this country without much of a fight. What are we thinking? Where will it end? or soon to be.....

Sorry to go off on this in this forum, but I see American's losing their rights, one at a time, and we stand still and act like we are unable to do anything to stop this from happening.

Lots of us here did.

[c2000]

Ok, I'm going to set all you Illinois guys straight,,do you know that after this law is in place the life span of all bartenders and waitstaff will increase 10 fold,, the cost of health insurance will take a dramatic plunge downward and not one bar or cigar lounge will notice a dip in patronage, in fact their business will go up because of all the people that didn't come in because of the smoke.. and to address mmblz,, no smoking in parks or on the beach,,or within 20 ft of doorways,,did you know that one whiff of smoke can possibly cause a heart attack.


Jerry (no smokin since 100107) in Minnesota.

[BradB41]

Originally Posted by c2000

Ok, I'm going to set all you Illinois guys straight,,do you know that after this law is in place the life span of all bartenders and waitstaff will increase 10 fold,, the cost of health insurance will take a dramatic plunge downward and not one bar or cigar lounge will notice a dip in patronage, in fact their business will go up because of all the people that didn't come in because of the smoke.. and to address mmblz,, no smoking in parks or on the beach,,or within 20 ft of doorways,,did you know that one whiff of smoke can possibly cause a heart attack.


Jerry (no smokin since 100107) in Minnesota.

If you are right, then perhaps the law is a good thing. You let me know when the insurance rates "plunge downward".

The issue to me is the government telling private business owners what to do with their businesses. If a man owns a bar and wants to allow smoking, then he ought to be allowed to. I only smoke cigars occasionally, and really hate the smell of cigarettes; however, if I don't like the way a place smells, I leave.

This won't really affect me, as I only smoke at home or at the homes of others (where it is welcomed, of course). I still think it's B.S. and another one of our freedoms that has slipped away.

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by c2000

did you know that one whiff of smoke can possibly cause a heart attack.

I have greater health fears of lacquer thinner fumes, paint dust and high voltage (all part of my hobbies) than I have of secondhand smoke.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by BradB41

If you are right, then perhaps the law is a good thing. You let me know when the insurance rates "plunge downward".

I think Jerry was being "tongue in cheek".

[NicotineBuzz]

Originally Posted by JackSchwartz

That's okay, to help ease my pain I'll just go out to my favorite restaurant and get some nice foie gras.....wait, Chicago banned that as well.

I thought you were joking about the "foie gras". I Googled it just for fun and sure enough it has been banned in Chicago. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. What's next??? Butter??? Steak??? Sounds like you folks need to clean house at City Council.

[funlab]

Originally Posted by JackSchwartz

funlab,

I've heard rumors Sullivan's may be keeping their smoking lounge. It sounds like they may build a bar upstairs so you would be able to enjoy a cocktail and a cigar. The bar would be separate entity from the smoking lounge, but still upstairs. If you need a drink you'd head over to the bar, then you could take your drink over to the cigar lounge. There's a whole list of questions as far as how they'd be able to pull it off, but good for them if they do find a way.

Like I said, this is just rumor, but a cigar smoker can still hope. I don't really know of any other place, other than tobacco shops, that will allow smoking.

It's a very sad time in Illinois.

Eric

eric,

i think this is just a rumor. the problem they'd have doing this is the only restrooms for the building are upstairs behind the cigar lounge. this would mean the ordinance would still exclude the possibility of cigar smoking because restaurant customers would have to cut through the bar to reach the restrooms. it would require a major remodeling to accomadate our dream. sucks!

[JackSchwartz]

Originally Posted by funlab

eric,

i think this is just a rumor. the problem they'd have doing this is the only restrooms for the building are upstairs behind the cigar lounge. this would mean the ordinance would still exclude the possibility of cigar smoking because restaurant customers would have to cut through the bar to reach the restrooms. it would require a major remodeling to accomadate our dream. sucks!

That was the #1 question I had when I heard the rumor. They would have to get restrooms downstairs and the cigar lounge would probably have to have its own entrance. A lot of work and a lot of money to get something like that going. Another problem is after the first of the year you can not build a cigar shop/lounge in a multi-unit building. Any new shop will have to be in a free-standing building. It sounds like that part of the law will probably make sure none of the bars or restaurants will be able to add some kind of private smoking lounge.

Aww, heck, I could go on about this all day long. I'm gonna go smoke a cigar and chill out.

Eric