In June, Chairman of the Chicago City Council's Committee on Health, 28th Ward Ald. Ed Smith, along with 50th Ward Ald. Bernie Stone introduced the "Clean Indoor Air Ordinance of 2005".

This ordinance proposes to ban smoking in all indoor areas, including all restaurants and bars, including attached bars within restaurants.  The ordinance further will ban smoking in sports arenas, arcades, private clubs and rooms and gaming facilities.  

The ordinance also prohibits smoking within 10 ft. of an entrance to a non-smoking facility.  This could effectively ban smoking in most beer gardens.  Private homes, rented hotel and motel rooms (under 25% designated as smoking rooms) and retail tobacco stores are the only places smoking would be allowed indoors.  All affected establishments would be required to post "no smoking" signs at entrances and remove ashtrays and paraphernalia for smoking.  At the time of renewal or application for a license, the city would require operators to sign a notarized statement attesting that signs have been posted.  

The Chicago Department of Public Health would have the primary enforcement responsibility.  Penalties for smoking infractions will be between $100 and $500; and restaurant operators will face fines of $100 for the first infraction, up to $500 for the second, and up to $2500 for each additional violation within one year AND a 60-day suspension or revocation of ANY license for the location.  The ordinance would take effect 45 days after passage.