The Smoke-Free Movement

It was announced today that the Senate Executive Committee will be voting on SB 500 this upcoming Wednesday (March 7). Four members of the committee have already signaled their support for this legislation by signing on as co-sponsors. We still need to secure three more votes to assure victory, and keep this legislation moving through the Illinois State Senate.

We would like to have as many people as possible come to Springfield on Wednesday to show their support for a Smoke-Free Illinois. If you can make it, the hearing will take place at 1:00PM in room 212 of the Capitol Building. Even if you cannot make it, you can still make a difference by contacting members of the Senate Executive Committee and telling them to support this live saving piece of legislation. Using our new "Action Center," you can email each member of the committee by clicking here, or by simply calling them using the numbers provided below.

Senator Ira I. Silverstein (D) -- (217) 782-5500
Senator Rickey R. Hendon (D) -- (217) 782-6252
Senator Debbie DeFrancesco Halvorson (D) -- (217) 782-7419
Senator James A. DeLeo (D) -- (217) 782-1035
Senator James F. Clayborne Jr. (D) -- (217) 782-5399
Senator J. Bradley Burzynski (R) -- (217) 782-1977
Senate President Emil Jones (D) -- (217) 782-2728

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments   

More Bars, Restaurants Face End to Smoking - Pantagraph

It's Time For Smoking Ban in Bars, Eateries - Rockford Register Star

Smoke-Free Effort Deserves Support - Daily Herald

Help Available for Those Who Want to Quit Smoking - Beacon News

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Commission Stands Firm on Smoking Ban - The Star

Smoke Debate Still Burning - The Star

Palatine Doesn't Cave In - Arlington Heights Post

Business is Down at Trackside - Arlington Heights Post

State Needs to Decide About Smoking Ban - Algonquin Countryside

Board Not Keen on Smoking Ban - Glenview Announcements

Smoking Hazard Needs Regulating - Glenview Announcements

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Tri-Cities Smoking Ban Fizzles - Batavia Sun

Mayor Doesn't Expect Change in Smoking Ban - Daily Herald

'Exemption' Offered Tavers - Chicago Tribune

Restaurant Smoking Ban is Postponed - Chicago Tribune

Less-Stringent Rules on Smoking OKed - Chicago Tribune

Settling Smoking Issue - Chicago Tribune (Letter to the Editor)

Harmful to Others - Chicago Tribune (Letter to the Editor)

Protecting Citizens - Chicago Tribune (Letter to the Editor)

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Survey Finds Majority of Wisconsin Residents Support Smoking Ban - Chicago Tribune

Our Word : Smoke-Free a Good Plan - Southern Illinois University Daily Egyption

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Last week we added an exciting new feature to the Smoke-Free Illinois website. On the left side of the page, just above the map of Illinois, is our new "Action Center." Going with the theme of keeping this site interactive, the Smoke-Free Illinois Action Center gives you the means to make an immediate impact!

With the opening of our new Action Center, we've posted our first Action Alert.

Using our Aciton Alert site, we are asking each and every one of your to email your State Legislators in support of the Smoke-Free Movement. We've already provided the text of the email (with the possibility of personalization from you), so all you really need to do is fill in your name and address. Contacting your State Senators and Representatives couldn't be easier. It will literally take you less than 30 seconds to make an immediate difference in the world!

If you get a response from your Senator or Representative please feel free to share it on the Blog.

Thank you all for your continued support and keep checking the site for future Smoke-Free Action Alerts!

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 8:50 AM | Permalink | Comments   

More Reasons Yet for Statewide Ban - Daily Herald

Smoking Ban Dies from Fear of Taking Risk - Beacon News

Why Must Nonsmokers Still Fight to Breathe Clean Air? - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Smokings Gone, So Get Creative Bars - Daily Herald (Letters to the Editor)

Tri-Cities Should Have Smoking Ban - Daily Herald (Letters to the Editor)

A Hard Habit to Break, But Help is Available - The Courier News

Village Officials Want to Clear the Air - The Star

Lawmakers to Consider Total Casino Smoking Ban - Belleville.com

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 8:38 AM | Permalink | Comments