Elk Grove Village sets meeting for tobacco sales ban proposal
Elk Grove Village has scheduled hearings on proposals to either totally ban tobacco sales or increase the age for buying the products to 21.
The judicial, planning and zoning committee - an advisory panel of three village trustees - will consider the proposals at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13.
The meeting is expected to be contentious, as some business owners and residents have already criticized Mayor Craig Johnson's proposal for an outright ban. Johnson argues the village shouldn't be selling a product guaranteed to harm residents. Retail industry experts say they have not heard of any local governments banning tobacco sales in the state or country.
However, Chicago and other suburbs have already increased the age requirement, including Naperville, Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove. Lake County recently increased the age in unincorporated areas.
The three-member committee is expected to recommend a proposal to the village board, which would make a decision on the measure at a later meeting.
The meeting will be Room E at village hall, 901 Wellington Ave.