Plainfield Park District Passes New Smoking Ban

CHICAGO, IL — The Plainfield Park District’s board of Commissioners has passed a new ordinance banning tobacco use at all of its parks and facilities. Students at Heritage Grove Middle School are behind the ordinance, after they conducted a survey that showed "overwhelming support" for the ban, the park district said. The students presented their findings to the park's commissioners in May, and the board passed the ordinance in June.

The new ordinance bans the use of all smoke tobacco products — including e-cigarettes and smokeless products like chewing tobacco — from all outdoor recreational facilities: restrooms, spectator and concession areas, parks, sports fields, playgrounds and walking/hiking trails.

The Heritage Grove Middle School club — dubbed 'Plainfield Reality Illinois,' — received a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health for their work. The Will County Health Department worked with the students and their teacher Kathy Gregory on their community outreach efforts, which included a cleanup day at Northwest Community Park where they gathered cigarette butts. The students also attended a Park District Board meeting.

Plainfield Park District Executive Director Carlo Capalbo said that the new signs will first be installed at all ball fields and sporting areas, with park entrance signs to follow.

“The students of Plainfield Reality Illinois made the difference and our parks will be healthier places because of their work,” said Capalbo.

The Smoke Free Illinois Act was first passed in 2008, and at the time banned smoking inside all public buildings, including those owned by government agencies.

Photo: tobacco use will be banned from all Plainfield Park District outdoor areas thanks to the work of student volunteers from Heritage Grove Middle School.