Michael Hastings Tinley Park also famous as SenatorMichael Hastings and Michael Hastings Illinois. He is a reputed former military officer in United States
Army. He also earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone.
Now he is a Member of the Illinois Senate. Hastings defeated Gregory Hannon in
the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012, and defeated Edgar Montalvo (R) in
the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012
Illinois senators mustered just enough votes
Wednesday to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a bill that raises the age to
21 to buy tobacco products in Illinois. |
| Senator Michael Hastings |
The bill now heads to the Illinois House where it faces tough road to override the veto. The bill only passed the House in May with 61 votes, meaning proponents will need to find 10 additional votes to override the veto.
The Senate voted 36-19 to override Rauner’s veto, the bare minimum needed. Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, voted in favor of the override. Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington and Sen. Sam McCann, R-Plainview, both voted against it.
The bill requires someone to be 21 to legally purchase tobacco products, alternative nicotine products and electronic cigarettes. Sponsoring Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, said nine of 10 current smokers took up the habit while they were teenagers. She said proponents anticipate a 25 percent cut in teen smoking if the legal age is raised.
“Smoking is not a right,” she said. “It is an addiction and societal burden.”
However, when Rauner vetoed the bill he said he didn’t think it would accomplish its goal of keeping tobacco away from teens.
“Raising the age people can purchase tobacco products will push residents to buy tobacco products from non-licensed vendors in neighboring states,” he said in his veto message. “Since no neighboring state has raised the age for purchasing tobacco products, local businesses and the state will see decreased revenue while public health impacts continue.”
The Department of Revenue estimated the bill would cut the state’s cigarette tax receipts by $40 million a year and sales taxes by $6 million to $8 million.
Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, said that at 18 people are allowed to marry, buy property, borrow money and vote.
“But you are not wise enough to determine whether or not to buy and use this particular product,” he said. “I have a serious issue with drawing a line at a place essentially for adulthood that is different from 18.”
“A young man’s country can draft him into military service, but we’re going to say he or she is not smart enough to make a decision on whether or not to take a cigarette,” said Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon.
People can serve in the military if they can pass a physical. Senator Michael Hastings D-Tinley Park, said one of the reasons the U.S. Army didn’t meet recruiting goals last year is too many potential recruits couldn’t meet fitness requirements. He said Army officials told him raising the tobacco age would help improve the fitness of recruits.
There are 21 cities in Illinois that require people to be 21 to buy tobacco. Six states have also passed laws making 21 the age to buy tobacco.
“A Tobacco 21 law is the next step toward reducing the harm Big Tobacco has inflicted on our communities,” the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said in a statement. “With a Tobacco 21 law, Illinois will help keep kids from becoming addicted to tobacco before they have a chance to grow up. Dozens of municipalities in our state have already passed this law and it’s time for the entire state to get on board.”
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