Lawmakers shoot down exemptions for statewide smoking ban

SPRINGFIELD -- Complaints about Illinois' new statewide smoking ban aren't translating into action by state lawmakers.

A House committee overwhelmingly shot down two proposals today aimed at easing the law, which took effect in January and bans smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places.

One measure would have thrown out the new ban entirely.

Rep. Shane Cultra, an Onarga Republican, argued it has crippled businesses in his eastern Illinois district by sending patrons across the border to Indiana. He called it "a nightmare," but committee members voted 11-3 against his legislation.

The other measure would have created smoking licenses handed out by local governments, modeled after Illinois' system of liquor licensing. Bars, private clubs and riverboat casinos would have been among the groups that could pay a fee for the licenses.

Tom Swoik of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, which represents riverboat owners, argued for the licenses because his group says business has fallen off by about 17 percent since the smoking ban kicked in.

Some lawmakers were sympathetic.

"Where does a smoker go in this state?" said Rep. Michael Tryon, a Republican from Crystal Lake. "You can't have the government interfering in everybody's life for everything that they do."

But the Environmental Health Committee voted 10-4 against the plan. It has also rejected smoking exemptions for private clubs, such as veterans' halls.

Smoking allies did get one victory, as the committee voted 12-2 for a measure allowing an Algonquin man to open a bar where patrons smoke flavored tobacco.

Aqeel Akhtar told lawmakers he put more than $50,000 into starting his lounge but found out in mid-January that the law only allows tobacco establishments that were open by Jan. 1.

The new legislation would allow shops if they were licensed by Jan. 1, even if they weren't open yet. It now heads to the full House.