State Senate OKs smoking ban

Publication Date: 2007-03-30

• Author:Diane Rado and Monique Garcia
• Publication:Chicago Tribune

The Illinois Senate on Thursday approved a statewide ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and public buildings, with proponents saying the health of everyone should override the desires of smokers.

The Senate voted 34-23 to send the measure to the House, where an aide to Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) said it has strong support.

Sponsoring Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan) estimated Illinois spends billions of dollars on health care linked to smoking-related illnesses, including lung cancer, heart disease and strokes.

"This is our time to remedy this problem," Link said...

Late Thursday, an aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich said the governor had not yet reviewed the current legislation. But another aide told a Springfield newspaper last fall that the governor believed the decision should be left up to local communities.