Smokers welcome, cities say

That big cloud of smoke you see leading out of Champaign-Urbana could be the trail of smokers driving to restaurants, bars and bowling alleys in neighboring communities.

City and village leaders in Gibson City, Gifford, Mahomet, Monticello, Paxton, Philo, Rantoul, Savoy, St. Joseph, Tolono and Villa Grove all say they have no plans to follow Champaign's lead in passing a comprehensive smoking ban, which will be effective Aug. 1 if Urbana approves a similar ordinance in the next several weeks.

AP Video

Also on this date

• Husband acquitted in brutal slaying of his wife
• Blagojevich signs bill releasing funds for Medicaid debt
• Noted microbiologist receives royal honor
• Special use approved for ethanol plants
• Obituaries