New Lenox Expands State Smoking Ban

Just a couple weeks after a to come to New Lenox, the Village Board voted to expand the state's smoking ban to include businesses that primarily sell tobacco products.

New Lenox's village code adheres to the Smoke Free Illinois Act, which went into effect in 2008 and prohibits smoking in public places and within 15 feet of entrances. Hookah lounges and cigar shops, though are exempt under the state's smoking ban because they qualify as retail tobacco shops. The new local ordinance will outlaw smoking in such establishments.

"It’s not anything against the hookah lounge, it’s against any establishment (that could allow smoking)," Mayor Tim Baldermann said last week after the board read the amendment for the first time. "We got to thinking after hearing that, that we don’t want to promote any smoking."

No one from the community spoke during the meeting regarding the ban, and no one on the board had any comments. But local tobacco retailers said expanding the ban is unnecessary, even if it won't affect their business much. 

"We don’t really depend on people to come in and smoke," said Hashem Hamad, manager of on Nelson Road. "But they’re trying to criminalize the smokers. They’re not looking at it the right way."

Hamad referenced bars being more dangerous to people's health than smoking, particularly smoking hookah. He said the bars cause DUIs and bar fights, while "hookah lounges are very calm, very relaxing. There are no fights in a hookah bar."

For more information about the ban, .

Village Board Bits

Electricity aggregation: The board held its second public hearing on the electricity aggregation referendum that voters passed in April. No one spoke, and the village will move forward with plans this week at an aggregated price. Residents will be able to opt out of the program and choose their own provider. The village could have bids as early as the end of this week.

Cover boy: Mike Turley, the village's supervisor of Waste Water Reclamation, was honored at the board meeting Monday for being on the cover of he April 2011 issue of Treatment Plant Operator Magazine, which covers the municipal wastewater profession. The article highlights Turley’s 25-year career in New Lenox and his accomplishments and innovation used to manage the village’s growth. "This is a big deal," Public Works Superintendent Ron Sly said. "For a sewage plant operator this is like GQ.”

Gatto’s patio: Despite concerns from some Schoolhouse Manor residents, the board unanimously approved . There would be at least five tables but no more than six, seating 24 people at most, behind Gatto’s. The patio would close at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 11 p.m. on weekends. Live music and other outdoor entertainment is prohibited.