Workplace Smoking Rules in Illinois

Employers covered. Employers with one or more employees.

Written policy requirements. Employer policy not specified.

Posting requirements. Smoking and nonsmoking areas must be marked with appropriate signs.

No smoking areas. Smoking in Illinois is prohibited in public places except where designated and posted as a smoking area.

Public places include any enclosed indoor area used by the public or serving as a place of work, including, but not limited to, hospitals, restaurants, retail stores, offices, commercial establishments, elevators, indoor theaters, libraries, art museums, concert halls, public transportation, schools, student dormitories, nursing homes, auditoriums, arenas and meeting rooms.

Smoking is not permitted in day care centers in which children are allowed, regardless of whether any children are present at the moment. Further, smoking is not allowed in homes in which day care services are provided to children while the children are present (does not include when just the children of the day care provider are present and day care services are not being provided).

Designated smoking areas. Public places may designate smoking areas, if the areas where smoking is prohibited and permitted is clearly posted. Existing physical barriers and ventilation systems must be used to limit exposure by nonsmokers to smoke.

Permitted smoking areas. Excluded from the definition of public places and, therefore, the prohibition against smoking, are bowling alleys, bars, hotels, private offices occupied by smokers exclusively--even if nonsmokers visit them, a room or hall used for a private social function where seating is arranged by the sponsor of the function, and factories and warehouses not generally frequented by the public.