Even after recent clarification, problems with enforcement remain
Jump to full article: Peoria (IL) Journal-Star, 2009-09-28
Author: MATT BUEDEL of the Journal Star
Intro: Almost two years since the state's ban on indoor smoking in public places took effect, the haze surrounding the enforcement of the law appears to still be lingering.
Some aspects of the Smoke Free Illinois Act are now much more clear than at its inception. Enforcing agencies such as police departments and local public health departments now have citations specific to the ban that can be handed to violators.
And smokers or business owners who want to contest those allegations now know with certainty that they will do so in front of an administrative judge for the Illinois Department of Public Health, rather than a criminal judge at a county courthouse.
Those much-needed clarifications came thanks to an amendment to the state ban signed into law in early February during Gov. Pat Quinn's first bill signing after Rod Blagojevich's impeachment.
"It's an evolution, and over the last two years we've seen quite a lot of progress," said Greg Chance, administrator of the Peoria City/County Health Department.
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