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Health Department Enforces Smoke Free Illinois Act, Issues Citation
May 23, 2013(November 24, 2010) - The DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department announced today that it conducted recent compliance checks of the Smoke-free Illinois Act which requires all public establishments to be smoke-free. The original act was passed in January of 2008, but was amended in February of 2009 to allow for improved enforcement capacity. Health Department officials had delayed full enforcement of the Act to allow test cases to work through the procedural protocol established by the state of Illinois. “We’re making our rounds now, and will be going out routinely from this point forward to ensure compliance with the Act. Establishments have had more than enough time to adapt to the law, but many continue to refuse to comply”, said Dave Remmert, Health Department Administrator, “it only increases scrutiny on these owners if they are intent on disregarding state law, and that isn’t good for anyone”. Remmert noted that mostly all establishments in which smoking was found had done nothing to comply with the law. “When I walk in and see ashtrays on every table and 20 patrons smoking, clearly the owners and managers are making no attempt to control smoking and are, in fact, encouraging it. We aren’t talking about a single patron sneaking a puff of a cigarette in the bathroom here”. Investigations were conducted primarily based on complaints received. “We went to every bar that has received a complaint against them, but if there was another bar in close proximity, we checked them out as well” Remmert stated.
Local health department officials investigated 16 DeWitt and Piatt County area pubs late Saturday night, November 13, 2010. Those pubs found to be in violation were:
Establishment City
The Hammond Pub Hammond
Bulls Eye Bar and Grill Hammond
The Diamond Tap Farmer City
DeWitt Country Store DeWitt
The Powerhouse Pub DeWitt
Breaker’s II Wapella
Annie’s Wapella
The Hot Spot Clinton
*The Wishbone Clinton
Snappers Clinton
*second violation
Establishment that were found to be in compliance with state law and sent letters of commendation included:
Establishment City
Breaker’s Clinton
Whitney’s Cove Clinton
The Corner Tavern Monticello
Monticello Bowl Monticello
Lucky Monkey Bement
Rick’s Farmer City
The Health Department intends to step up enforcement campaigns in the coming weeks throughout both DeWitt and Piatt Counties. The owners now must either pay the fine outright or request a hearing, which would likely be scheduled in Champaign where the closest Illinois Department of Public Health Regional Office resides. If neither of these options are taken within 10 days of receipt of the citation, the food permit of the establishment will not be renewed. The hearing process requires attorney representation on both sides.
News Updates
Relevant Links
Foodservice Sanitation Code-Effective July 2008
Stop Smoking TV campaign #1 (video link)
Stop smoking TV campaign #2 (video link)
Stop Smoking TV Campaign #3 (video link)
Stop smoking TV campaign #4 (video link2)
Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
