Once Chicago is overtaken, then it will be the whole state and the states surrounding. We don't want that and you surely shouldn't either. Just remember: it's your private business owners and waitstaff that suffer!
Posted on 11/23/2005 6:35:26 AM PST by SheLion
An ordinance that would exempt taverns and some restaurant bars from a proposed citywide smoking prohibition will get a hearing on Monday, setting the stage for a possible showdown on the controversial smoking issue on the City Council floor two days later.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Once Chicago is overtaken, then it will be the whole state and the states surrounding. We don't want that and you surely shouldn't either. Just remember: it's your private business owners and waitstaff that suffer!
Doesn't this tell everyone something? If Gibson's allow smoking and they win, then this tells me that smoking bans are a lose-lose situation all around. Let the business owner decide and NOT these nanny do-goders!
But an anti-smoking restaurateur group is pushing its own eleventh-hour proposal.
It would impose the smoking ban everywhere, but phase it in for lounges in restaurants, which would have to become smoke-free within a year. Taverns with capacities of 75 or more patrons would be required to come into compliance in 15 months, while smaller places would have 18 months.
The anti's bound and determine to force a smoking ban on private business owner's come hell or high water. Are you people actually going to stand for this? If you do, you all are nuts. Even the non-smokers. What is the matter with you people!
If Chicago passes a ban, then they have banned my tourist dollars.
They sure wouldn't see MY money either!
Too bad we don't have Ditka as a FReeper (To my knowledge). We could try to get him to make a commercial.
Wonderful idea! How can we contact him?
Well put, my FRiend, well put.
She Lion - that map is FABULOUS.
Unfortunately you need to switch Washington state from yellow to red :(
Illinois! Check out the Illinois Smokers Rights Group! Read what others are saying about this ban in your area!!
I'm sure other cities with large nanny staters populations are trying to sneak bans even in the "free" states.
Is that in concrete now?
Section 2381. Treason
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
Nailing Clinton would be worth the time and effort but going after this nonsense is just plain stupid.
An ordinance that would exempt taverns and some restaurant bars from a proposed citywide smoking prohibition will get a hearing on Monday, setting the stage for a possible showdown on the controversial smoking issue on the City Council floor two days later.
The council's Finance and License Committees will hold a joint meeting to consider sending the bar exemption measure to the full council for consideration, an unhappy Ald. Ed Smith (28th) said Tuesday.
But Smith, chairman of the council's Health Committee, said he will call for a vote at the Nov. 30 council meeting, no matter what, on a more sweeping smoking ban ordinance he has sponsored that would cover virtually all public places.
Exempting taverns and restaurant bars that are physically separated from dining areas is not acceptable, Smith said.
"If you wall off the restaurants or wall off the bars, you may as well leave [the law] as it is because it doesn't stop the carcinogens that are in the air," he said. "A fan is not going to do it. A wall is not going to do it. So who are you kidding?"
The bar exemption proposal was introduced weeks ago but has never been considered by Smith's committee.
"We sent it to where we sent it (the Finance/License venue) because weweren't getting a hearing from him," said Ald. Burton Natarus (42d), who co-sponsored the measure along with Ald. Shirley Coleman (16th). "Our position is entitled to a hearing just like anybody else's. Let it all hang out."
The ordinance also would exempt lounge areas of bowling alleys, hotel and motel rooms that are designated as smoking rooms, beer gardens, sidewalk cafes and retail tobacco stores.
The Illinois Restaurant Association backs the Natarus-Coleman proposal, calling it a reasonable compromise.
But an anti-smoking restaurateur group is pushing its own eleventh-hour proposal.
It would impose the smoking ban everywhere, but phase it in for lounges in restaurants, which would have to become smoke-free within a year. Taverns with capacities of 75 or more patrons would be required to come into compliance in 15 months, while smaller places would have 18 months.
The restaurant group, Chefs and Owners United for Good Health (COUGH), contends that allowing smoking in some restaurant lounges, but not others, would be unfair.
"It would create a terribly uneven playing field, economically destructive to a businessman through no fault of his own," said Dan Rosenthal, a leader of the group, who used neighboring Near North Side spots as an illustration.
"If the Natarus-Coleman ordinance were to pass, Gibson's, whose physical layout is such it could easily wall off its bar area, would do that," Rosenthal said. "Immediately across the street is a lovely little Irish pub called Dublin's. It has a square bar open to the entire area of its restaurant, surrounded by tables. Even if [the owner] had the money, it would be physically impossible to enclose his bar area.
"Therefore, Dublin's loses, Gibson's wins."
Supporters of the Natarus-Coleman proposal use the same argument, but in another way. They say that restaurants and bars in the city, particularly near Chicago's borders, would lose business to suburban competitors if there were a total ban.
COUGH leaders presented their proposal last week to John Dunn, a top aide to Mayor Richard Daley. The group, which Rosenthal said represents more than $375 million in taxable annual revenues, includes Rosenthal's Sopraffina Restaurants, Levy Restaurants, and the Lettuce Entertain You chain.
Daley so far has hinted that he favors the Natarus-Coleman proposal.
Even if the dueling Smith and Natarus-Coleman measures come to the floor Nov. 30, the contentious issue may not be settled then. Under council rules, any two aldermen can delay a vote on any ordinance until the following meeting. That would push consideration to Dec. 7, giving both sides more time to jockey for position and negotiate a possible compromise.
A fan? A mere FAN? heh!
Let's talk big ceiling SMOKE EATERS! How about it!
No offense but, the plural of 'business' is 'businesses'.
:-)
Thanks. I needed that.
I believe it goes into effect December 8.
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