The Illinois House passed a measure today that decriminalizes selling loose cigarettes to adults aged 18 and older. The legislation's sponsor says the change was inspired by the arrest and subsequent death of Eric Garner in New York.
Garner was arrested for selling loose cigarettes and died after a New York City police officer restrained him in a choke-hold. Representative La Shawn Ford of Chicago, a Democrat who sponsored the legislation, says changing the penalty to a petty offense like a traffic violation would benefit courts and taxpayers.
"You know I didn't want to take it off of the books as a criminal act, so we just make it a penalty of a fine."
Several health departments oppose the legislation including Will, Lake and McHenry counties. Critics say it prevents local governments from controlling the sale of cigarettes.