Anti-smoking laws should apply to all
The politically connected elites of Illinois want to have the smoking ban repealed for their “businesses” and for them only. That is what the Illinois House is considering as reported in the Daily Herald article Nov. 28.
My impression was that the statewide smoking ban was ostensibly meant for the good of the public health, disregarding government revenues. According to the article, the mayor of Elgin, along with the owners of the local riverboat casino, want to enhance his city's revenues, and their private profits. But neither seem concerned with the interests, well-being and rights of other business owners.
Small businessmen who have accepted the burden of independently striving to make a living, and by doing so make Elgin a place where its residents and others can enjoy dinner, drinks, and entertainment, are forbidden to allow their customers to smoke. Now, selfish individuals propose to exempt from the law the owners of government-sponsored casinos, and consequently provide even more cash for the city, state, and themselves due to their special status as already immune from state law enterprises.
Those lacking in political connections and state favors are taxed to death and struggling, but nevertheless making it on their own; the hardworking tavern and restaurant owners of Illinois. These real business people are deprived, by law, of deciding what is most beneficial for their customers, their own livelihoods and the best uses for their privately owned, taxpaying businesses and properties. Now along come some privileged individuals who would abuse them further by forcing them to compete for the entertainment/restaurant/tavern business with state-sponsored competitors where smoking would be allowed.
The American way is that the law should apply equally to everyone, not exempting the politically powerful. In Illinois, as in Orwell's Animal Farm, “some animals are more equal than others.” That's the way of our corrupt political class and their big contributors in business that profit from the promise and influence of easy money. Let's not tolerate it.
While I would submit that private property rights should trump the smoking ban, if it must be left in force, at the very least, it should be applied equally to all.
Glenn Garamoni
Mundelein