Mayor Jerry Schweighart said it's likely he'll introduce an ordinance at the May 15 city council meeting to immediately repeal the smoking ban in Champaign bars and restaurants.

Schweighart said the fact that the Illinois House and Senate have overwhelmingly approved a statewide ban on smoking in public places, effective Jan. 1, doesn't faze him.

"My inclination is to rescind our city ordinance banning smoking so we go back to the way we were," Schweighart said. "Right now, if we leave it the way it is, our local people will still be losing business. It will give us seven months to have a level playing field."