Just so everyone knows, the opinions expressed here are my own, and do not reflect the opinions or views of the American Legion or its members.
As you all probably already know Illinois began being smoke free on the 1st of the year 2008. Now this just sucks, all around. This is costing everyone business and quite frankly it is a law that intrudes on our ability to run our own business and our own post. We as Legion members fought for the freedoms of all, only to come home to the slow but steady erosion of our own freedoms. I know that I don't speak for all, and I certainly don't speak for the American Legion but personally I find the law to be an unconstitutional nanny tactic being employed by overzealous do-gooders who need to find themselves a hobby. That being said this section of the site will be updated regularly to let anyone who is interested know what is going on with the Illinois Smoking Ban.
Currently there is legislation in the rules committee of the Illinois legislature proposing that Veterans Halls and Clubs (American Legions and VFW's) be exempted from the law. A link below will take you to the site of the law. Please write or call your local congressperson to let them know that the amendment should be passed IMMEDIATELY!
Mike Boland 71st District Representative, proposed the amendment email him at
ilrepmikeboland@aol.com and lend him your support and ask what you can do to help get one of our freedoms restored to us.
Next a pen and paper petition has been begun by Christine Salvino. She can be reached via email at:
ridersup612@yahoo.com
Additionally, we started an online petition to get this very amendment passed, below is a link to that petition, please sign it and then pass it along to all your friends and neighbors. The more signatures we get the better chance we have to turn our lawmakers head.
An Open Letter To Whoever Reported To The Health Department That We Have Allegedly Been Smoking In The Post.
To Whom It May Concern,
I probably know you, and I wish now that I didn't. If you could be so petty, so vindictive, so childish as to report an American Legion post to the health department for allegedly violating the smoking ban in Illinois. You have got to be kidding. Get a hobby, start collecting stamps or something. Quit worrying about what everyone else is doing. Not to mention, if you see something going on in the post that you know is wrong have the intestinal fortitude to say something AT THE TIME. Do not report the post to the health department. The thin and thick of it is this, you were wrong! There is no room in our post for those who would actually seek to do the post harm, while claiming membership. Please do us and yourself the favor of not coming back anymore, until you are ready to actually stand on your own two feet and say something when you think something is wrong. You got a problem, put your name on it, or keep your mouth shut!!!
Sincerely,
Daniel N. Sharon
Adjutant, Post 1205
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