All the pieces have come together for a smoking ban compromise in DeKalb. Subject to a final vote on Feb. 27, the city will ban smoking in public places, beginning Sept. 1, with the exception of bars and Mardi Gras Lanes. The smoking ban exemption will last for one year.

Lack of sustained opposition

Opposition to the smoking ban fizzled as the issue gathered momentum. Steve Riedl, executive director of the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association, had at first provided some outside aid against the ban in bars, but was peculiarly absent when asked to speak at Monday night’s council meeting. He has been at other meetings to represent his organization’s interests, but at Monday’s meeting, where the ultimate decision of the city would likely be decided, he was missing.

Without a large crowd to show strong support against the ban the council didn’t have the incentive to delay decision any longer.

Smoking ban opponents came out in droves for the October workshop meeting, and at each subsequent meeting the anti-ban crowd shrank. The last protestors pleading against the ban were certainly outnumbered.

A Determined Alderman

Second Ward Alderman Kris Povlsen led the discussion on every point and by taking charge when others were reluctant, seized opportunities to make several motions. Motions included bans at bus depots but excluded bar areas in bowling alleys. Additionally, Povlsen offered a solution to the problem of the potential loss of business. “We should remarket DeKalb as smoke-free,” Povlsen said.

Motivated individual

Jim Grosklags, chair of the DeKalb Smoke-Free Coalition, was persistent and patient while striving for years to get a smoking ban. To devote more time to his cause, Grosklags split from the DeKalb Environmental Commission to crusade for a smoking ban. Approaching Povlsen early on proved to be paramount to getting a smoking ban passed.

The lives saved in the long term are more important than the immediate adverse economic impact, he said.

Mayor as the strongest proponent

DeKalb Mayor Frank Van Buer’s uncharacteristically aggressive push to pass a total smoking ban set the tone at the Jan. 23 meeting. Before smoking ban proceedings began Monday, Van Buer began with an Abraham Lincoln quote emphasizing decorum in dealing with others that have different vices, such as drinking and smoking. The introduction set the tone: “We would like to represent the overwhelming majority of citizens in DeKalb that don’t smoke,” Van Buer said.

Colleges Against Cancer’s participation

Colleges Against Cancer President Matt DeLance demonstrated a majority of NIU was in favor of a smoking ban. He stated 80 percent of NIU students don’t smoke and also provided more than 100 signatures of NIU students in favor of the smoking ban.

“He seemed borderline on whether to be for or against a ban,” DeLance said. “It worked; he’s pretty strong in favor of the ban.”

The apparent 1st Ward Alderman Karega Harris turnabout

“If you are at the age to drink, you should be allowed to smoke if you choose,” he said at the Jan. 23 meeting. It appeared Harris was for a ban in restaurants but against a ban in bars. In the last month, NIU Colleges against Cancer president Matt DeLance successfully lobbied Harris, his alderman, to vote in favor of the ban.

“I believe the decision was in the best interests of the whole community,” Harris said. “I was in favor of whatever a majority of the council was in favor of.”