SUPPORT THE COMPROMISE ORDINANCE
1. MOST IMPORTANTLY – CALL YOUR ALDERMAN AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
Out-of-town lobbyists are spending millions to back the radical total ban ordinance and have a paid phone campaign to the Aldermen. Unless Chicago citizens call the members of the key committees considering the two ordinances, most likely the extreme total ban ordinance will pass. Chicago Aldermen need to hear from residents of Chicago who favor the compromise ordinance!
Click here to find your local Alderman's name, address and e-mail
It is important not only for Chicago residents to call their own Alderman, but for everyone to call all members of the Health Committee, the Finance Committee and the License and Consumer Protection Committee. Alderman on all these committees have influence on which ordinance goes to a Council vote. A list of these key Aldermen can be found here.
Click here to contact the members of these key committees.
2. You may also send a letter to your Alderman or to:
Mayor Richard M. Daley
121 N. LaSalle, 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60610
To be effective, letters should ideally be hand-written or at least typed and personally signed, and mailed via the Postal Service to the city. Letters should be postmarked from within the city, as city officials are primarily concerned with what local voters think.
Remember, the city is interested in what concerned, responsible voters think. If you get insulting in your letter, it will be disregarded. Be sure to make it clear you vote!
3. Click here to sign our online petition!
4. Download and distribute our petition!
| Microsoft Word format |
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| Adobe Acrobat format |
WHAT YOU CAN SAY
Here is some information that can be included in your message to the city:
- The compromise ordinance from Ald. Natarus and Ald. Coleman will protect non-smokers and preserve the rights of smokers and businesses to run a profitable business and keep all their customers satisfied.
- People you know feed their families by working in restaurants and bars. Even a small drop in business from loss of some smoking customers will put many people in dire straits.
- Bars and restaurants are not hospitals or government buildings. People can choose to patronize them or not. No one is forced into a smoking environment.
- Small business people should have a right to make a living running their business as they choose.
- Customers have the freedom to patronize smoking or non-smoking environments. Let the free market and consumer demand be the judge, not government regulation.
- Safety and freedom need to be balanced fairly. If you banned everything that posed a potential health risk there would be no cars, hamburgers, alcoholic beverages, cell phones and everyone would be required by law to stay out of the sun.
- Laws like this are dangerous steps toward big government controlling our lives.
Thank you for your help. Together we can make our voices heard and protect our basic personal freedoms.
Sincerely,
Many concerned citizens of Chicago
Smoking Ban Facts
(Courtesy of the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association)
How a Smoking Ban Affects Neighborhoods & Residents
Effect of smoking bans in other cities
Chicago Citizens for Freedom of Choice HOME