Another battle is ahead over smokers’ rights v. public health.
An Illinois Senate committee has approved State Sen. Ira Silverstein’s (D-Chicago) bill to outlaw smoking in a car while someone under eighteen years of age is in the car. This would be a secondary violation, meaning police would have to find something else to pull you over for first.
The fine would be up to $100.
As for people who prefer to light up?
“They have a right to smoke, but other people should have the right to breathe fresh air,” said Silverstein.
An amendment to the bill allows people to smoke while riding a motorcycle or in a convertible with the top down.
SB 2659 has passed the Senate Public Health Committee.