Palatine designates downtown smoking area

In an effort to address numerous complaints from pedestrians tired of walking through clouds of cigarette smoke, Palatine is moving forward with a designated smoking zone in its downtown.

Instead of hanging out on the sidewalk, patrons of certain establishments — namely Hotshots Saloon — now will be directed to the east end of the parking lot at Brockway and Slade streets if they want to smoke.

“I met with the (Hotshots) owner and together we walked downtown to see if we could come up with a solution that would work for everyone,” Councilman Brad Helms said.

While the village council unanimously passed the measure Monday, some said the village is picking and choosing where it wants to legislate and the state smoking ban, which prohibits smoking within 15 feet of an entrance, isn’t being enforced uniformly.

“Enforce it for everybody or change our ordinance,” Councilman Aaron Del Mar said. “It needs to be across the board, that’s all I’m saying.”

The discussion began nearly two months ago, when officials said they wouldn’t consider Hotshots owner Tim O’Brien’s request to offer live entertainment until something was done about smokers loitering outside his bar.

They finally approved his request Monday, but not without several conditions. They included establishing the designated smoking area, erecting a sign about it and re-evaluating the issue in 90 days.

“This whole thing is getting stupid,” said Councilman Jack Wagner, whose comment got a hearty thank-you from O’Brien. “If we do it in front of this place ... we have to do it everywhere.”

Former Councilman Warren Kostka chimed in, cautioning the village to be friendly to residents, patrons and businesses alike because using “Gestapo tactics” and harassing smokers will force them out of town and hurt everyone’s bottom line.

But Helms and others argued the designated smoking area is appropriate because the downtown area is unique, and only a small number of establishments, like Hotshots, lack the outdoor space needed to keep smokers on their respective properties.

Helms, whose district includes downtown, reiterated his claims O’Brien misrepresented Hotshots as a family-oriented restaurant, and that he probably would oppose the establishment if he could vote again.