Suburban County Mulls Outdoor Smoking Ban

Board questions legality

Smoking is banned in almost all indoor spaces in Illinois, including restaurants and bars. But if a Kane County resident has her way, smokers wouldn't be allowed to light up outside either.

The suburban county's board is considering a ban on smoking outdoors in residential neighborhoods, reports the Daily Herald.

Aurora Township resident Stacy Blaszak went before the Development Committee on Tuesday with her research.

"In my personal area where I live, everyone is about nine feet away from somebody's property line," Blaszak said, according to the Daily Herald. "Even with closed windows, [smoke] seeps its way in, especially if you have multiple people smoking."

Committee chairwoman Cathy Hurlbut said the staff would review the proposal and discuss it again at a later time. However, she questioned the legality of a law that would ban smoking in someone's own backyard.

"I'm very concerned about private rights to activity on your own property," Hurlbut said, reports the Daily Herald.

Matt Bartosik is a Chicago native and a social media sovereign.

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