Cook County, IL Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows
- Smoker fine
- Up to $100 per violation
- Owner/operator fine
- $250 to $2,500, escalating
- Enforcement
- Cook County Dept. of Public Health
- Scope
- Countywide, yields to municipal ordinances
Summary
Cook County's Clean Indoor Air Ordinance pushes smoking outdoors 15 feet from any entrance, exit, or operable window of a covered enclosed public place, workplace, restaurant, or bar, countywide except where a municipality's own ordinance controls.
(a)Smoking in public places. Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed public places and places of employment within the County of Cook, including, without limitation, the following places:(1)Arcades...(25)Private clubs or lodges.(b)Reasonable distance. Smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of any entrance, exit, windows that open or ventilation intakes to an enclosed area in which smoking is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 38-205(b) of the Cook County Code bars lighting up within 15 feet of any entrance, exit, operable window, or ventilation intake serving an enclosed public place or place of employment, restaurants, bars, offices, retail stores, health-care facilities and more, where indoor smoking is already banned under Sec. 38-205(a). The buffer keeps smoke away from doorways and air intakes so it doesn't drift back inside. It applies across Cook County under Sec. 38-215, but yields wherever a municipality (Chicago included) enforces its own smoking ordinance. Violators face a fine under Sec. 38-211; property owners who fail to post required no-smoking signage face escalating fines up to $2,500 and possible license suspension.
Violations & Fines
Smokers who light up inside the buffer face a fine up to $100 under Sec. 38-211(a); owners/operators who don't enforce it face $250-$2,500 fines and possible permit suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cook County ban smoking in parks?
Does this rule apply in Chicago?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois public conduct overview
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