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'From man's sweat and God's love, beer came to be.
This information comes from The Suburban Life newspaper in the western suburbs of Chicago, in the editor's opinion.
SMOKERS TRUMP STATEWIDE BAN WITH CASINO EXEMPTION
Some state legislators finally approved a measure concerning the proposed smoking ban in Illinois that could be useful.
asenate commiteelast week passed an amendment that would exempt casinos from the statewide ban approved last month by the General Assembly. gov. Rod Blagojevich has not yet signed the bill that would prohibit smoking in public places, and this latest plan may give him doubts about the ban's legitimacy.
State Senator James Clayborne, D-Belleville, introduced the amendment because some border towns could lose out on gaming revenues if gamblers take their money across state line. Saying he had heard that about 80% of gamblers are smokers, clayborne estimated that a town like East St. Louis could loseas much as 20%of it's general revenues if Blagojivich signs the ban.
Clayborne also said that many schools could lose out on gaming money if casinospatrons to "butt out". Spare a gambler and save a child, in other words. How Precious!
If the senate approves this amendment, it will undermine the foundation of the anti- smoking measure.
Proponents of the ban said restaurants, bars and bowling alleys would not lose revenue, as some have claimed, since nonsmokers would now feel free to fill the void. A statewide ban would"level the playing field," since merchants wouldn't have to compete for smoker's cash.
But if the Senate rules that casinos would be hurt financially by a smoking ban, other establishments could claim the same thing. They would lose their client base to the casinos where patrons could smoke while they drink. So much for a level playing field.
This could expose the smoking ban for the sham legislation that it is. Employees of public establishments (whose health the smoking ban seeks to protect) have always been free to work in places where smoking is prohibited. And, likewise, patrons should be free to lobby merchants to cater to their wishes for either a smoke- free environment.
But the proposed ban now appears to have been about legislators making themselves look good. If they cave in to the gaming lobby, how can they continue to claim this bill is about promoting good health?
As this issue progresses, will lawmakers teat casinos, and other public establishments fairly? Don't bet on it.
SMOKERS TRUMP STATEWIDE BAN WITH CASINO EXEMPTION
Some state legislators finally approved a measure concerning the proposed smoking ban in Illinois that could be useful.
asenate commiteelast week passed an amendment that would exempt casinos from the statewide ban approved last month by the General Assembly. gov. Rod Blagojevich has not yet signed the bill that would prohibit smoking in public places, and this latest plan may give him doubts about the ban's legitimacy.
State Senator James Clayborne, D-Belleville, introduced the amendment because some border towns could lose out on gaming revenues if gamblers take their money across state line. Saying he had heard that about 80% of gamblers are smokers, clayborne estimated that a town like East St. Louis could loseas much as 20%of it's general revenues if Blagojivich signs the ban.
Clayborne also said that many schools could lose out on gaming money if casinospatrons to "butt out". Spare a gambler and save a child, in other words. How Precious!
If the senate approves this amendment, it will undermine the foundation of the anti- smoking measure.
Proponents of the ban said restaurants, bars and bowling alleys would not lose revenue, as some have claimed, since nonsmokers would now feel free to fill the void. A statewide ban would"level the playing field," since merchants wouldn't have to compete for smoker's cash.
But if the Senate rules that casinos would be hurt financially by a smoking ban, other establishments could claim the same thing. They would lose their client base to the casinos where patrons could smoke while they drink. So much for a level playing field.
This could expose the smoking ban for the sham legislation that it is. Employees of public establishments (whose health the smoking ban seeks to protect) have always been free to work in places where smoking is prohibited. And, likewise, patrons should be free to lobby merchants to cater to their wishes for either a smoke- free environment.
But the proposed ban now appears to have been about legislators making themselves look good. If they cave in to the gaming lobby, how can they continue to claim this bill is about promoting good health?
As this issue progresses, will lawmakers teat casinos, and other public establishments fairly? Don't bet on it.
