IL: Village Board votes down smoking ban

Chicago Tribune ^ | 3-8-05

[SheLion]

OAK PARK -- A proposed ban on smoking in public places was defeated 5-2 Monday night by the Oak Park Village Board.

[SheLion]

The ban would have prevented smoking in restaurants, bars and all other public places in the village.

After hearing from three people in favor and three against, some trustees asked that the issue be postponed for more study. And before the vote on imposing the ban, trustees defeated an amendment that would have allowed certain businesses to be exempted if they could make a case of economic hardship.

Village President Joanne Trapani voted against the ban and said it was matter of personal freedom. "I have a choice to go someplace where there is smoking or not," she said.

At public hearings on the issue over the last couple of months, the lines of battle were drawn between cancer survivors and restaurant and bar owners.

Oak Park's existing ordinance prohibits smoking in enclosed public places but excludes bars, restaurants, theater lobbies and health facilities.

[SheLion]

Great news, and the ban was defeated by a healthy majority!

[laweeks]

Bully for them. I've always felt that to smoke or not to smoke is the business owner's decision, not a lawmaker. Smoking is LEGAL. How about having these cowardly politicians FIRST make smoking illegal, then go after the private businesses and clubs. They don't have the guts to make it illegal.

[Hot Tabasco]

the lines of battle were drawn between cancer survivors and restaurant and bar owners.

Lets take it a step further and make it a proposed ban against bars with the battle line drawn between alcoholics and bar owners........

For the constitutionally challenged and private property ownership, there never should have been a "VOTE" to begin with. Time for that community to out the socialists.......

[SheLion]

Bully for them. I've always felt that to smoke or not to smoke is the business owner's decision, not a lawmaker. Smoking is LEGAL. How about having these cowardly politicians FIRST make smoking illegal, then go after the private businesses and clubs. They don't have the guts to make it illegal.

Too much money involved, unfortunately.

Cigarettes is the only commodity that is legal to buy, yet we are made to feel like criminals for using it.

New England States are going to go completely smoke free.  But the rest of the United States can see what the smoking bans are doing to the economy in New England, and they have a head's up to stand up and fight.

In this day and age where the economy is everything, no lawmakers should want to see a business owner in his city suffer any losses.  Lawmakers should do all they can to keep their states healthy and thriving.

[SheLion]

For the constitutionally challenged and private property ownership, there never should have been a "VOTE" to begin with. Time for that community to out the socialists.......

I know!  And I am also hearing where the government can now go in and take your home away and your property if they need it for something else.  What the hell are we working for?  Can't trust none of them.

[Hot Tabasco]

Tobacco Vs. Alcohol: Which has had the most devastating effect on society and families. Funny how the nico-nazis are willing to turn a blind eye on their own vices......

[SheLion]

Tobacco Vs. Alcohol: Which has had the most devastating effect on society and families. Funny how the nico-nazis are willing to turn a blind eye on their own vices......

And we all know how the majority of the Senate loves to DRINK! I bet they do a lot of smoking behind closed doors as well.

[abovethefray]

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I have to say this would be the last place I would expect this voting result. Oak Park prides itself on being progressive, with all the negative baggage that entails...
Sanity may be creeping into Oak Park...

[Mears]

Good news for a change----I'm envious of those lucky enough to live in Oak Park.

[SheLion]

Good news for a change----I'm envious of those lucky enough to live in Oak Park.

Me too, Mears. I really miss going out to dinner. Oh well.........Blue State of Maine. The lawmakers suck here.

[Mears]

I'm going to make sure I'm in the smoking section when I reach that Great Restaurant in the Sky.

I miss my breakfast out every day.Haven't done it since the Massachusetts ban almost 9 months ago.

Brutal outside and has been for about 6 hours----any storm up your way?

[SheLion]

Brutal outside and has been for about 6 hours----any storm up your way?

Brutal out there. It poured rain until about 4am. Good thing it was rain. If it had been snow, it would have gone up past my windows!

Now we have high winds and blowing and drifting snow. I was really afraid to look out this morning, but the City Plow opened up the road and my plowman had opened up my drive, so all is ok.

Never lost power, thank God. But it's a miserable day out there. I'm not leaving my house. hehe!

[Gabz]

It seems you got the weather we had yesterday.....it was 60 and raining at 6am yesterday and by 2pm we had an inch of snow on the ground and visibility was zero with 40+ mph winds.

Today it's bitterly cold but the wind had has died down and the sun is shining.

[Condor51]

***I know! And I am also hearing where the government can now go in and take your home away and your property if they need it for something else...***

With all due respect, that has always been 'the law'.
It's right there in the U.S.Constitution In fact its part of the the famous Fifth Amendment; "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

It's called Eminent Domain.
However, note that the operatives words are "just compensation".

[SheLion]

With all due respect, that has always been 'the law'.
It's right there in the U.S.Constitution In fact its part of the the famous Fifth Amendment; "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

I realize that.  It's the 'sprawl.'  Maine has been talking about it more this year and Fox News interviewed a lady the other day about her elder grandparents might lose their house because the local government wants to take it for a school parking lot.

I know people will get money from the take-over, but it's pretty sad that American's can't even feel safe and secure in a home that they invested in over so many years.  (I'm thankful "I" don't live in a city!)