Bill
SB 1577
Prohibits new retail tobacco stores within 100 feet of a school after Sept 1, 2025; existing stores may remain, with local permitting enforcing the rule.
Status
- Introduced: February 4, 2025 (Sen. Mary Edly‑Allen)
- Passed both chambers: May 6–16, 2025 (legislative record)
- Signed by the Governor: May 19, 2025
- Effective date: September 1, 2025
Purpose
- To reduce children's and youth’s proximity and access to retail tobacco stores by preventing new retail tobacco stores from opening close to schools.
Key provisions
- Prohibition on new stores near schools: After the Act’s effective date, no county or municipality may permit a retail tobacco store (as defined in Section 10 of the Smoke Free Illinois Act) to open within 100 feet of a school.
- Grandfathering: Local governments are not required to close or prohibit retail tobacco establishments that were in existence prior to the Act’s effective date. The restriction applies only to permitting new establishments after the effective date.
- Reference to existing law: The bill relies on the Smoke Free Illinois Act for the definition of “retail tobacco store,” so the scope of covered businesses is determined by that cross‑reference.
Who is affected
- Local governments (counties and municipalities): restricted from issuing permits or otherwise allowing new retail tobacco stores within the specified buffer around schools.
- Retail tobacco businesses and prospective operators: cannot open new retail tobacco stores within 100 feet of schools after 9/1/2025; existing stores within that distance are not forced to close.
- Schools, students and communities: likely to see reduced commercial tobacco retail presence immediately adjacent to school properties.
Implementation and enforcement
- Enforcement is expected to occur through local permitting and zoning/licensing processes; the bill does not create a new state enforcement mechanism or funding stream.
- Exact application (for example, how “100 feet” is measured and what counts as a “school”) will depend on existing statutory definitions and local permitting procedures.
Sponsors and related legislation
- Primary sponsor (per the introduced Illinois text): Sen. Mary Edly‑Allen.
- Other named sponsors/cosponsors in the provided materials: Lauren Kuby, Analise Ortiz, Theresa Hatathlie, Kidani, Chang, Richards (as listed).
- Companion bills: HB 3529 and HB 1378.
Potential impacts (summary)
- Public health: Intended to reduce youth exposure to and access to tobacco products around schools.
- Business/development: Limits siting options for new specialty tobacco retailers; existing stores near schools are grandfathered.
- Local authority: Changes what local governments may permit but does not mandate active closures of existing businesses.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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