Man Files Federal Lawsuit Against Illinois Smoking Ban [View All]

[kster]

Updated: Feb 8, 2008

By: Carly O'Keefe

DIX, Ill. - In filing a federal lawsuit against the Smoke Free Illinois Act, Vietnam veteran Frederick Price says he's not a big shot--just an average Joe trying to defend freedom as he's always done.

"I went over there to fight for your rights--as a non-smoker, and my rights as a smoker," said Price.

While Price can't afford a high-dollar attorney, he wanted to do what he could do. He wrote out a formal complaint by hand, alleging the Illinois Department of Public Health, Governor Rod Blagojevich, the Illinois Legislature and the Illinois Attorney General have discriminated against him as a smoker. He filed the lawsuit Monday at the Southern District Federal Court in Benton, Illinois.

"The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are the very basis of the Constitution, and they're being denied. My rights are being denied," said Price.

Rest of story with video...

http://www.kfvs12.com/global/story.asp?s=7841348