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STREATOR — A ban on smoking in public places was unanimously rejected by the City Council on Wednesday night, but a prohibition on public smoking by minors was adopted.

City Manager John Kolata proposed a ban on smoking in public places like those adopted earlier this year in Bloomington-Normal and Chicago. It would have taken effect immediately.

“We want to assure the health and safety” of residents, Kolata said.

Council members thought that was going too far, however.

“Are we going to ban some fatty foods because it’s bad for health or cars that use gasoline because (exhaust) is bad to breathe?” asked Councilman Ed Benner.

“The level of government involvement has got to stop,” said council member Siobhan Elias.

The ban would harm Streator businesses, she said.

“This is none of our business,” Mayor Ray Schmitt said of the smoking ban.

The council did vote 3-2 on a ban on public smoking for people younger than age 18. That ban takes effect immediately.

Council member Bob “Willy” Williamson joined Schmitt and council member Jim Lansford to pass the ordinance. Benner and Elias voted against the ordinance.

Williamson said he initially opposed the proposal but then was told by Police Chief Jeff Anderson that it could be a tool in fighting teenage crime.

“And whatever tools are needed to control crime, I’m for it,” Williamson said.

No explanation was given on how the ban would aid police. Anderson was not at the meeting.

Benner and Elias said an existing state law prohibiting the sale of smoking materials to minors should be enough of a deterrent.

“But it’s not,” Kolata said.

In other action, the city council unanimously approved seeking the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s help in finding out the extent of the contamination at the former Knoedler Manufacturing plant on Iowa Avenue.

Most of a $240,000 state grant for studying the site already has been spent, but the IEPA still has questions, the council as told.