What does the non-binding referendum in support of an indoor smoking ban in Peoria really mean? C.J. Summers doesn’t think it means much at all, and even I disparaged its relevance last night on WCBU. In contrast, Eyebrows McGee makes a good argument in the comment section of the Peoria Chronicle post about the referendum’s potential usefulness to state legislators.
If E.M.’s analysis and count of pro-ban votes in the General Assembly is correct, passage of the state-wide ban seems assured. As long as that happens, the Peoria referendum doesn’t have much meaning.
HOWEVER, if the state-wide ban fails to make it through the General Assembly, THEN the referendum takes on new life. In that scenario the referendum results could be used as evidence to support a local ban.
6 responses so far ↓
1
C. J. Summers
// Apr 18, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Could, but it will never pass the council.
See this article from the Journal Star.
By the way, is Pekin smoke-free yet?
2
knightindragonland
// Apr 18, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Heh. Yeah right. An indoor smoking ban might get two votes on the new council. Kortkamp and Strand would be the only two that would even consider it at this point, and I have my doubts that even they would say “yea” when it came down to a vote. I’m only guessing that Kortkamp would be sympathetic because she’s been associated with OSF for many years.
3
Eyebrows McGee
// Apr 18, 2007 at 9:25 pm
“If E.M.’s analysis and count of pro-ban votes in the General Assembly is correct,”
Well, my analysis was primarily an economic one. I’m quite sure there will be legislators who don’t vote economics but party politics or their consciences.
Still, if I was Mike Madigan, that’s the kind of calculation I’d be making right about now.
4
Scott J
// Apr 19, 2007 at 10:01 am
I believe the Smoking Ban already has the votes to pass the House. The Referendum that Peoria just voted on was just rehashing an old poll the State did last year. The State is in favor of the smoking ban. CJ is right, this referendum made no difference. Even if the City passed an Ordinance, the State will pass the law anyway which would supercede any Ordinance Peoria passes.
5
vonster
// Apr 21, 2007 at 11:42 am
Let me know when someone proves they got cancer from 2nd hand smoke. I won’t be holding my breath.
6
BKLK
// Apr 24, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Ya know after reading so many blogs…. I think I’ll go outside and have a smoke.
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