Bill To Lift Smoking Ban In Casinos Advances
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS/WBBM) -- A pair of bills that would allow people to smoke in Illinois casinos has made it out of a House committee.
One bill, House Bill 171, would exempt casinos from the statewide smoking ban. Its sponsor, state Rep. Andre Thapedi (D-Chicago), says the ban has sent gamblers to other states which still allow smoking in casinos, hurting Illinois revenue.
The bill passed the state House Executive Committee by a vote of 10-1, the Peoria Journal-Star reported.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Dave Dahl reports, the Smoke Free Illinois Act, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2008, was built on workplace safety grounds.
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Heather Eagleton of the American Cancer Society says people who would choose work around cigarette smoke really don't do so willingly.
State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) is also against the idea, not because he is against smoking, but because his area, Bloomington-Normal, would miss out.
"If they're starting it for one, we start it for all, and doing it for casinos, and if (businesses) would like to have a smoking room, they're not going to get that," Brady said.
The bill's supporters say Illinois has lost nearly $800 million in casino revenue since 2008.
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