Legislation Could Relax Smoking Ban, Allow it in Bars

Wednesday, March 09 2011

Local business owners say it would be great if customers could smoke in places that are primarily bars

By Michael Sewall | New Lenox Patch (IL)

Three years after pushing for a smoke-free state, the Illinois General Assembly is considering two bills that would relax the ban and let customers light up in some bars.

House Bill 171 would allow smoking in segregated, ventilated rooms in licensed casinos. House Bill 1310 would give local liquor control commissions the power to issue smoking licenses to bars and other adult-oriented establishments that make no more than 10 percent of their revenues from food sales.