Blagojevich to sign smoking ban today

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to sign a statewide smoking ban today that will create one of the toughest anti-smoking laws in the country. Blagojevich is scheduled to sign the bill at Northwestern University in Evanston. It would then go into effect Jan. 1. The &#8220Smoke Free Illinois Act” bans smoking in virtually all indoor public places, including bars, restaurants and casinos. It passed with wide majorities in both the Illinois House and Senate, but was firmly opposed by nearly all Metro East lawmakers. Those local legislators worried that area bars would be hurt by Illinois smokers visiting businesses in Missouri, which doesn't have a smoking ban. &#8220I think people will migrate to where they can smoke and drink,”