Any hope for Illinois?

[cigardocdoc]

Has anyone heard anything about liberalizing the fascist ban that just went into effect for Chicago/Illinois? Its funny 'cause everyone I've talked to is all for the ban, but then I explain just how strict and unfair it is for cigar smokers, and they generally agree. I could see legislation with some exemptions or even smoking licenses being a viable option.

Alternatively, any hope the state (or maybe someday, the federal) supreme court rules these a violation of business rights? I probably have my head in the smoky clouds.

I really miss going to a real cigar bar.

[baboruger]

Hey there are still places to go. We have met up a couple times at a store in Lakemoore that has a smoking area, nice place Kenny the King.

As for the law, no way they change it...

[cigardocdoc]

Can someone explain this amendment to the Clean Air Act?
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/bill...8&SessionID=51

The status is apparently:
"Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Rules" as of 12/3/2007

I'm guessing its dead?

[JohnRider]

Bar owners fight Illinois smoking ban....

Foes of smoking ban gather at rural Illinois bar to plan protest
By Shane Graber
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Tuesday, Feb. 19 2008

SANDOVAL, Ill. — Sometimes civil action begins in a rural bar called Fat's,
where an ashtray sat on every table and the smoke hovered wall to wall.

About 200 people including bar owners, VFW members and patrons filled Fat's on
Monday night for a tavern-hall meeting to discuss overturning or amending
Illinois' statewide smoking ban established this year.

And as speaker after speaker insisted that people's rights were being stripped
away, the crowd smoked. Inside.

On Jan. 1, Illinois became the 22nd state to pass a statewide indoor smoking
ban, which prohibits smoking inside or within 15 feet of most public buildings.
Boog Walker, owner of Fat's, stopped allowing smoking when the ban took effect,
but it cut into business. Now if customers ask for an ashtray, he'll slip them
one.

"I think it should be up to the bar owner," he said. "It's plain and simple. It
ought to be up to you, and it ought to be up to the public."

Rob Alexander, owner of Industrial Tavern in Centralia, suggested that bars
encourage smoking. That way, if someone gets ticketed, a large group could show
up in court.

"Are you going to tell those guys who defended your country that they can't
smoke?" he said pointing to men in VFW hats. "They fought for those freedoms."

Barb Pennypacker organized the get-together, what she called the smokers'
rights meeting. An officer for the Salem Moose Lodge, she decided three weeks
ago that the ban was violating people's right to choose.

"So I just picked up the phone and started calling people," she said. "And here
we are."

She's collecting petitions and will deliver them to lawmakers in Springfield on
March 15.

Some state lawmakers are seeking exemptions to the ban. One proposal would
allow smoking in clubs. Another would let bars and casinos buy special licenses
to opt out of the ban. One suggestion is to exempt semi-private organizations
such as the VFW if members vote to do so.

Those measures were debated last week in a House committee but won't come up
for a vote until this week or later.

Bar owners here reported Monday that revenue is down between 30 and 50 percent.
The casino industry claims the ban already has caused at least a 17 percent
drop in Illinois gaming business after just six weeks.

The American Cancer Society appears to be preparing for another lobbying
battle. About 120,000 volunteers across the state have contacted their
lawmakers asking them to keep the ban intact.

Wamac Mayor Butch Mathus, who officiated at the meeting at Fat's, urged
residents to call lawmakers and sign petitions to overturn the ban.

"Are we going to fight for this or not?" Mathus yelled into the microphone.

The crowd applauded. At least those not holding a cigarette.

sgraber@post-dispatch.com | 618-624-2571

[cigardocdoc]

Awesome.