Smoking at businesses - you can

Well, you learn something new every day.

I had been under the impression that all smoking in businesses was prohibited by the Smoke-Free Illinois Act. But read this...

If you are at a business, on business property under the control of a private business, and you are outside and more than 15 feet from an entrance, you can smoke. Shhhh, don't tell the smokers who aren't lighting up...

For example, if you are on an outside restaurant or bar patio or in the horseshoe pit or the outdoor party area of a bar and more than 15' from the door, it's okay to light up. And, if the non-smokers don't like it? They are out of luck.

Presumably, the bar owner or manager knows the law really well, because the penalties are stiff for violating the Illinois Smoke-Free Act, especially a second or third time.

What about the outdoor dining areas on public sidewalks outside restaurants and coffee shacks? Say, for example, on the Woodstock Square. If you are seated (or standing) more than 15' from the restaurant's entrance (or open window or vent), then you can smoke. Maybe your dinner partner can't (if s/he is within the 15' arc from the door or window), but you can.

And to heck with pedestrians strolling by on a nice summer afternoon or evening.

This 15' restriction will make it hard on outdoor diners at D.C. Cobbs, because its new windows open and allow fresh air (and smoke) to enter the restaurant.

Woodstock police officers do not handle smoking violations under the Illinois Smoke-Free Illinois Act. Such violations are, instead, reported to the McHenry County Department of Health, Environmental Division. It seems to me that it would be easy for the cops just to pull over, when they spot 4-5 smokers outside a bar, but the Department policy is for them not to do so. Naturally, by the time an investigator from the County gets there a few days later, those smokers are long gone.

But they will "visit" with the bar, restaurant or business owner or manager and discuss the importance of compliance. (Then how come the smokers keep coming back?)

My opinion? Smokers in Illinois know the law. And they know they can get away with violating it. Sort of like speeding...