The Smoke-Free Movement

House OKs smoking ban - Chicago Tribune

Bans have eateries in flux - Chicago Tribune

Gov likely to approve statewide smoking ban - Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois smoking ban goes to governor - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Smoking ban passed - State Journal Register

House passes smoking ban - Alton Telegraph

Lake County committee votes for smoking ban - Lake County News-Sun

State smoking ban passes second hurdle - Naperville Sun

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Seventy-two Illinois State Representatives made the heroic decision yesterday to support legislation that will make all Illinois workplaces and public places smoke-free! Their decision ensured that all Illinois citizens and workers will share the same right to breathe clean air. There is no question that this law will prevent countless deaths and and improve the quality of life for all of us!

Please take a few minutes to thank the following Representatives for their courage yesterday:

Acevedo, Edward - (773) 841-1200
Arroyo, Luis - (773) 292-0202
Bassi, Suzie - (847) 776-1880
Beaubien, Mark - (847) 487-5252
Bellock, Patti - (630) 852-8633
Berrios, Toni - (774) 235-3939
Biggins, Bob - (630) 941-1278
Bradley, Richard - (773) 794-9444
Brady, Dan - (309) 662-1100
Brosnahan, James - (708) 499-2810
Burke, Daniel - (773) 471-2299
Coladipietro, Franco - (630) 582-0045
Cole, Sandy - (847) 543-0062
Collins, Annazette - (773) 533-0010
Colvin, Marlow - (773)782-8272
Coulson, Elizabeth - (847) 724-3233
Crespo, Fred - (630) 372-3340
Cross, Tom - (815) 254-0000
Currie, Barbara Flynn - (773) 667-0550
D'Amico, John - (773) 736-0218
Davis, Monique - (773) 445-9700
Davis, William - (708) 799-7300
Dunn, Joe - (630) 355-4113
Durkin, Jim - (708) 352-7700
Feigenholtz, Sara - (773) 296-4141
Flowers, Mary - (773) 471-5200
Ford, La Shawn - (773) 378-5902
Fortner, Mike - (630) 293-9344
Franks, Jack - (815) 334-0063
Fritchey, John - (773) 871-4000
Froehlich, Paul - (847) 985-9210
Golar, Esther - (217) 782-5971
Graham, Deborah - (708) 782-6400
Hamos, Julie - (847) 424-9898
Harris, Gregory - (773) 348-3434
Hassert, Brent - (630) 739-7063
Hernandez, Elizabeth - (708) 222-5240
Howard, Connie - (773) 783-8800
Jakobsson, Naomi - (217) 373-5000
Jefferies, Elga - (773) 373-9400
Joyce, Kevin - (217) 448-3518
Krause, Carolyn - (847) 255-3100
Lang, Lou - (847) 673-1131
Leitch, David - (309) 685-3900
Lindner, Patricia - (630) 466-9791
Lyons, Joseph - (773) 286-1115
Madigan, Michael - (773) 581-8000
Mathias, Sidney - (847) 222-0061
May, Karen - (847) 433-9100
McCarthy, Kevin - (708) 782-3316
McGuire, Jack - (815) 730-8600
Meyer, Jim - (630) 717-7141
Miller, David - (708) 201-8000
Mitchell, Bill - (217) 876-1968
Molaro, Robert - (773) 838-1212
Mulligan, Rosemary - (847) 297-6533
Munson, Ruth - (847) 622-1048
Nekritz, Elaine - (847) 257-0450
Osterman, Harry - (773)784-2002
Pihos, Sandra - (630) 858-8855
Poe, Raymond - (217) 782-0044
Pritchard, Robert - (815) 782-0425
Reboletti, Dennis - (630) 530-2730
Riley, Al - (708) 283-0400
Ryg, Kathleen - (847) 680-5909
Sacia, Jim - (815) 232-0774
Schock, Aaron - (309) 672-9292
Scully, George - (708) 672-0200
Soto, Cynthia - (773) 252-0402
Sullivan Jr., Ed - (847) 566-5115
Washington, Eddie - (847) 623-0060
Yarbrough, Karen - (708) 782-8120
Younge, Wyvetter - (217) 782-5951

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 7:37 AM | Permalink | Comments   

From today's State Journal-Register:

Governor probably would sign statewide smoking ban

Last Updated 5/1/2007 1:07:42 PM

CHICAGO - Gov. Rod Blagojevich said today he would likely -- and "enthusiastically" -- sign a bill to ban smoking at all indoor work places if lawmakers send him the legislation.

Such a measure already has passed the Senate and may be called as soon as today in the House. The legislation would go beyond a 2005 state law that allowed all local governments in Illinois to decide whether to enact smoking curbs.

"Let me see the bill, but it sure sounds to me like that would be something that I will enthusiastically sign," Blagojevich said this morning at an unrelated appearance. "And I would be shocked if there was something in that bill that I didn't like that would keep me from signing it."

Proponents of SB500 have said the measure would protect employees at Illinois bars and restaurants where smoking currently is allowed. Opponents say the issue is better left to local officials.

Blagojevich appeared in Chicago with representatives of the Illinois chapter of the AARP, which endorsed the governor's proposal to offer subsidized medical care to uninsured adults. The AARP, however, did not take a stand on Blagojevich's controversial idea to tax certain businesses to pay for the cost.

-- GateHouse News Service

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Last Thursday the Colorado House voted to make all Colorado casinos smoke-free starting January 1, 2008. The Colorado Legislature had previously voted to make all businesses smoke-free starting in July, but casinos, along with cigar bars, were exempted from the law. The bill (HB 1269) now heads to the desk of Bill Ritter, the Democratic first-year Governor.

The bill has received praise from the gaming industry, citing the need for employees to breathe clean air, as well as the need to be on a level playing field with bars and restaurants.

“We are truly elated at the passage of this bill,” said Stephanie Steinberg, chairwoman of Smoke-Free Gaming of Colorado. “We’re happy that finally the casino workers will have the same rights as other workers.”

To read more about HB 1269, click here.

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments   

A smoke-free state - Peoria Journal Star

Schaumburg smokers may get outside shelters - Chicago Tribune

City should keep pushing for statewide smoking law - Naperville Sun

Vote on smoking ban stalls - Daily Herald

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments