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Illinois bill would exempt casino from smoking ban25 May 2007SPRINGFIELD, Illinois -- As reported by Pantagraph News: "While a statewide smoking ban awaits approval from Gov. Rod Blagojevich, some lawmakers are working to ensure casino patrons across the state can still light up a smoke before laying down their money. "Shortly after the state Senate approved the ban last month, lawmakers began drafting plans to exempt the four Illinois riverboat casinos that sit along the state border. "The hope was to prevent smokers from leaving Illinois riverboats for smoker-friendly casinos sitting just minutes away across state lines. On Thursday, a plan emerged to allow smoking at all nine of the Illinois casinos. "...[Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville,]said casino officials warned him that 80 percent of their patrons are smokers and that the ban could mean a 20 percent hit to their bottom line. "But Clayborne argued those losses could translate into fewer dollars for school funding... |