Trustees on Monday night approved revisions to the village’s no-smoking ordinance that will allow restaurant and tavern owners to build temporary outside structures for their smoking patrons.
The move appeases business owners who said the village’s ordinance, which took effect in early January, has resulted in a loss of as much as 50 percent of their customer base.
It also heads off a more stringent Cook County ordinance that bans smoking even in beer gardens and other outdoor settings. That law takes effect March 15.
Village Board members also amended the ordinance to allow smoking at outside events such as the Taste of Orland.
“It’s allowed because it’s completely open air with no enclosures,” said Trustee Pam Fenton.
Officials acted after several bar owners complained their patrons were patronizing establishments in surrounding towns where there were few or no smoking restrictions.
Meanwhile, the General Assembly is expected to act this year on a proposed statewide ban.