I’m a marathon runner and tri-athlete. I have worked in a casino for the past 14 years. I have dveloped chronic bronchitis and asthma from second-hand smoke.

I’ve watched several of my dear friends suffer and die from lung cancer. This past January at 12:01 a.m. when the smoking ban took effect, it was one of the happiest days of my life. Even many of the smokers that frequent my casino say the state did them a favor. They smoke less and are feeling better.

Smoking kills. It’s a no-brainer. Yet when I read the news last week, I saw that the greedy politicians are ready to sell the health and well being of Illinois for the almighty dollar. They are fully prepared to relegate hospitality workers to the status of second-class citizens.

Our leaders could not care less about the casino, bar and restaurant employees when money is involved. The idea of exempting bars, casinos and strip clubs is just another example how crooked the state of Illinois is and how easily our political leaders can be bought. The ink hasn’t even dried on the smoking ban.

If we truly live in a representative democracy, then represent the majority. If our leaders repeal any aspect of the smoking ban, they will be representing the minority. We should be used to this type of behavior in Illinois. Money has more power than the will of the people and can buy anything in Illinois. Even death.

Victoria Bentley, Downers Grove