Forget Chicago. If Mike Quigley has his way, smoking will be banned throughout all of Cook County.
According to a release from Quigley's office, the Cook County Board Commissioner and Board president candidate proposed an ordinance Dec. 6 that will make it illegal to smoke tobacco in any public establishment in suburban Cook County and Chicago. The measure, called The Involuntary Smoke Reduction Act, is being touted as one that will protect the county's residents from the negative health and economic effects of second-hand smoke.
Surrounded by members of the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago and other public health advocates, Quigley explained the importance of eliminating involuntary smoke in public places. 'Second-hand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, killing 65,000 annually,' he said. 'Creating a secondhand smoke-free zone for public places is the only way to protect the residents of Cook County from involuntary exposure to cigarette smoke and from serious illnesses. Eliminating secondhand smoke will reduce steep healthcare costs for both businesses and families.'
In addition to his second-hand smoke ordinance, Quigley has issued a series of reports that detail how he would implement top-to-bottom reforms of Cook County government, balancing the county budget without raising taxes. One proposal, 'Reinventing Cook County,' could save taxpayers as much as $155 million, the release stated.