The Difference Between the Chicago Theater and Joe’s Pub
This smoking ban thing becomes more and more interesting…Chicago seems pretty much set in its ways, with no hope in the near future of th Jersey Boys getting to light up again.
The problem lies in the fact that there is both a state law in Illinois and a city of Chicago law, and the latter is forbidden from making the former any weaker. This means that an exemption for theater can be tricky – lest Chicago fall to the thespian hedonism currently infesting Minneapolis.
Before the Ban, With a Cast of Thousands
Thanks to a comment by Karl, I learned that in Minneapolis there are many bars getting around the smoking ban by declaring their bars theatrical venues and the cigarettes props. The actors, of course, are the customers, “playing themselves before the ban on cigarettes.” It’s a pretty ingenious little loophole, and while it may seem ridiculous, so does the idea that people need that much babysitting.
Alderman Brendan Reilly, who is fighting to get an exemption for Chicago theatre, realizes that this is not a great example for the opponents of smoing in any form. Still, as he fights for the rights of the Jersey Boys and others to light up, he is confident it can be overcome. ” “The Department of Public Health will know the difference between the Chicago Theater and Joe’s Pub.”
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Of course, in Chicago bars they should play improv games instead, like using the cigerettes in games of object tag – “With this pen, Canada becomes Northern North Dakota…”, “Please talk INTO the microphone…”, “For all your feminine protection needs…”