Smoke Free Illinois Act - Fine Localization

Fine Localization

According to the Suburban Chicago News, Plainfield, Illinois passed a local law to keep the fines from the smoking ban violations this month, instead of sharing them with the state. Joan Myers, a village attorney, said that the town only receives fifteen dollars from a one-hundred and fifty dollar fine, and the rest goes towards court costs. According to Jeff Jurgens, an attorney with Ancel-Glick, localizing this law is entering uncharted territory. He then said that his firm represents over 20 Illinois municipalities on the matter. Jurgens went on to say, “In most communities, it’s going to be the local police department that will incur the expense of enforcing the law.” “So I think it makes sense that the community keep whatever income it generates.”