Palatine Going After Smokers Violating Law
PALATINE, Ill. (CBS) -- Palatine police are going after smokers who are violating state law.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Nancy Harty reports, two months ago, the Village of Palatine set up a special in a parking lot downtown for smokers to puff away outside.
But the Daily Herald reports the village is still receiving complaints about people smoking too close to the front doors of public buildings. Under the law that went into effect at the beginning of 2008, smokers must be 15 feet away from the door of any public place.
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Thus, police are now writing tickets, which can range from $100 to $250 for smokers, and up to $2,500 for a company owner.
Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen tells the Daily Herald the specially-designated area is getting minimal use, and 90 percent of the complaints are about patrons at a bar called T.J. O'Brien's, 53 W. Slade St.
