Illinois will remain a smoke free state. The Illinois House Tuesday afternoon voted down a measure that critics say would have eroded the statewide ban.One segment of Illinois' population may be appreciating Illinois' mild winter more than any other. Smokers. Since Illinois' ban on smoking in virtually all public places took effect in 2008 office employees and bar patrons who want a cigarette have been relegated to the outside. Representative Anthony DeLuca, a Democrat from Chicago Heights, says as a non-smoker, he's not one of them. But he says there are others that would be happy to patronize a smoking establishment so they don't have to stand outside in a snow drift and smoke their cigarette.
DeLuca tried to pass a measure to allow cities to issue smoking licenses to bars and private clubs, like the American Legion. The House voted down the plan, 30 to 82.
