http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-895803.mp3
Galesburg, IL – Galesburg city leaders are trying to crack down on bar and restaurant owners who refuse to obey Illinois' indoor smoking ban, which applies to most public places.
Aldermen heard first reading of a proposed ordinance that Mayor Sal Garza says is designed to enforce what's already there, and enact some stricter rules. Because Galesburg is a home rule community, it's allowed to pass ordinances that strengthen state law -- but is not allowed to weaken state law.
Garza says a bar or restaurant owner's liquor license could be in danger if they don't follow the new rules outlined in the ordinance.
"If an owner of a tavern decides that they're going to blatantly disregard the smoking ban, we can tie that in to whether we'll go in and suspend the liquor license, and/or revoke that liquor license," says Garza.
He says he'll have the final say on any such decision because he also serves as the city's liquor commissioner.
Aldermen will hear second reading of the ordinance at next week's city council meeting, when action could be taken.