On July 23, 2007, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich signed Senate Bill 500, also known as the Smoke Free Illinois Act, into law becoming the 19th state in the U.S. to go smoke-free.

The Smoke Free Illinois Act (Public Act 095-0017) will go into effect at midnight on January 1, 2008.

According to the Act, Smoking will be prohibited in all public places, places of employment, or within 15 feet of an entrance to a public place or place of employment (including windows that open and ventilation intakes). Smoking will also be prohibited in government vehicles and any area designated by the employer, owner, operator, or manager of a public place.

The Illinois Department of Public Health, local public health departments, and local law enforcement agencies will be required to enforce the act. Fines for individuals will be between $100 and $250. Bars, restaurants, and offices that violate the law by allowing smoking indoors face fines of $250 to $500 for a first violation; $500 and up for a second violation within one year; and $2,500 and up for each additional violation thereafter.

Business owners and managers will be responsible for posting "No Smoking" signs or the international "No Smoking" symbol in all public places, places of employment, and at every entrance. The act also requires that all ashtrays be removed from no-smoking areas.

Many resources are available online for residents, business owners, and building owners to help with signage, questions, and public health information:

DuPage County Health Department
http://www.smokefreedupage.org/
http://www.dupagehealth.org/
(630) 952-7400

Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Public Health 
http://www.idph.state.il.us/smokefree/index.htm
(217) 782-4977

To report an individual or business in violation of the law, you may contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at (866) 973-4646 or www.idph.state.il.us.  You may also contact the DuPage County Health Department at (630) 682-7400.

Illinois Senate Bill 500 (SB0500):
To view the full text of Illinois Senate Bill 500, visit the Illinois General Assembly Web site.