Plainfield Upholds Stricter Version of Illinois’ Tobacco 21 Rule

PLAINFIELD, IL — The village of Plainfield intends to maintain its Tobacco 21 rule when the state of Illinois’ version takes effect July 1. Action taken by the Plainfield Village Board in recent months expanded an ordinance on the books regulating cigarette and tobacco dealers to include the definition of electronic cigarettes and to limit sales to those age 21 and older.

“For some reason, Illinois only made it illegal to buy and sell tobacco, but you can still possess it,” Chief of Police John Konopek said.

The state’s Tobacco 21 rule does not address possession, but the village’s differs in that regard.

Konopek said possession is illegal in Plainfield.

As a home-rule municipality, Plainfield has added authority as it regards creating rules.

Trustee Cally Larson asked what type of repercussion could result in the event someone is in possession of cannabis within municipal limits.

“It would be strictly an ordinance violation, so basically the equivalent of a parking ticket,” Konopek said.

Konopek said the village took steps to decriminalize cannabis several years ago, which made it possible for the police to issue a citation to an individual for having a certain amount.

Larson was the lone trustee voting in opposition to the village creating the Tobacco 21 ordinance. At the time, she said the matter should be regulated by the state.

The village’s tobacco 21 rule went into effect April 1.