Governor Pat Quinn signs first bill into law

SPRINGFIELD - February 4, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn signed his first bill into law since being sworn-in as the 41st governor of Illinois last week.  A signing ceremony was held in Governor Quinn's office, following a meeting with all four of the state's legislative leaders.   

Senate Bill 2757 clarifies exemption and enforcement components of the Smoke Free Illinois Act.  The measure was sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), Senator Terry Link (D-Lake Bluff), and by Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Broadview) in the House.

"The new law strengthens the fundamentals of the Smoke Free Illinois Act," Governor Quinn said.  "We must continue to make sure the residents of the Land of Lincoln can breathe fresh air while they are at work and in public places."

The bill strengthens enforcement of the Smoke Free Illinois Act by providing additional guidelines for writing citations.  It also provides greater information about contesting citations.

"This act has helped Illinois workers and patrons to breathe cleaner air and have safer work environments over the past year," President Cullerton said.  "Now one of the most protective public health laws in the country has an enforcement process that will ensure compliance across the entire state."

The Smoke Free Illinois Act went into effect January 1, 2008, making Illinois the 23rd state in the nation to adopt a smoking ban.  The act prohibits smoking in all indoor public places and workplaces, including bars, taverns, private clubs, restaurants and casinos.