Lawmaker wants state bars smoke-free ahead of city ban
State Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago) said Thursday he's going to push for a smoking ban in all Illinois workplaces -- including bars and restaurants -- to begin in January 2008. His bill, if passed, would supersede Chicago's smoking ban, which currently gives bars until July 2008 to go smoke-free.
"There's simply no reason why, in this year, hospitality workers such as waitresses, servers and bartenders shouldn't have the same health protection that exists in office buildings where most of us work," Cullerton said.
If lawmakers approve Cullerton's proposal, Illinois would become the 17th state to pass a statewide smoking ban. "We need to play catch-up with the rest of the world and adopt a comprehensive law that protects everyone," he said.
Cullerton was prompted to work for a smoke-free Illinois after learning of a June 2005 U.S. surgeon general's report that concluded that any amount of secondhand smoke can cause health problems.
With no "safe" amount and no way to thoroughly filter air, Cullerton said, the state has a duty to protect residents by passing the bill.
Cullerton said his proposal would "level the playing field."
However, given the Legislature's history with smoking bans, Cullerton's proposal could face an uphill battle. Most top Democrats and Republicans have yet to review the proposal, although state Sen. Christine Radogno (R-La Grange) has pledged her support for the ban.