Smoke Free Illinois Act (Public Act 95-0017, Effective 1/1/2008)

Smoking is prohibited in public places, places of employment and government vehicles. This includes all areas in student dormitory buildings or a building used for that purpose. This act also prohibits smoking within 15 feet of an entrance or air-intake vent to a prohibited building. “No Smoking” signs must be posted and ashtrays are not allowed in prohibited areas. The law exempts private residences, except when used for any home-based business open to the public, including day care; and retail tobacco stores operating prior to January 1, 2008. A limited number of hotel and motel sleeping rooms, and rooms in nursing homes and long-term care facilities can be designated as “smoking”, but the smoke must be contained in those rooms and cannot travel to nonsmoking areas.