Governor Blagojevich signs Smoke Free Illinois bill at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Surrounded by legislators, anti-smoking advocates, cancer survivors and medical professionals, Governor Rod Blagojevich today signed the Smoke-Free Illinois Act at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The legislation banning smoking from bars, restaurants, and most public places will go into effect January 2, 2008.

This legislation will make Illinois the 23rd state to impose a broad smoking ban, and will make smoking laws consistent from city to city. "This law will save lives," said Blagojevich. "The realities are that smoking kills people."

Under the law, people will still be allowed to smoke in their homes, cars, outdoors, at retail tobacco shops and in certain hotel or motel rooms. Smokers who violate the law could be fined between $100 and $250. Businesses who repeatedly violate the law could be fined at least $2,500.

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