SPRINGFIELD - Smoke-filled bars, hazy casinos and cloudy prison hallways could soon be Illinois history. State lawmakers voted Tuesday to ban smoking in indoor public places and Gov. Rod Blagojevich suggested he'll sign off.

A ban would cap a debate over second-hand smoke that has played out in Illinois for years. Opponents have tried to hold off various forms of the proposed ban, saying that pushing smokers out of places such as bars could hurt business.

But Tuesday, House lawmakers voted 73-42 to side with people concerned that second-hand smoke could have serious health problems for non-smokers. The Senate voted in March to do the same.

In a Chicago appearance also Tuesday, Blagojevich suggested he'd "enthusiastically" give final approval to the plan.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, was among those who supported snuffing cigarettes indoors, saying that workers shouldn't have to deal with smoke on the job.

"What about the person who works in the restaurant?" he asked.

But others worried that businesses along the Illinois border would be hurt if patrons crossed state lines to get a nicotine fix with a meal or drink. In the Quad Cities, for instance, gamblers who want to smoke could head to the other side of the Mississippi River to smoke with their slots.

State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, sponsored legislation earlier this year to prohibit parents from smoking in their cars when children are inside, but he voted against Tuesday's proposal. He said the border issues were his primary concern.

"We have a tremendous number of taverns and bars," Boland said.

Those establishments would have to go smoke-free by Jan. 1 if Blagojevich signs off.

In the meantime, the union that represents the state's prison guards says they're still concerned that an absence of cigarettes in prison buildings could create contraband or violence among restless inmates.

Roberta Lynch, deputy director of the local council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said she's not sure if the group will ask Blagojevich to make an exception.

"We continue to be very concerned about it," Lynch said.

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, also wanted an exemption - for private clubs like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

"I just think a veteran ought to be able to have a cigarette in his own VFW," he said.

Lawmakers have voted in the last two years to give Illinois communities and counties the authority to ban smoking. Some, such as Bloomington and Normal, have done so on their own. Others, such as Macon County, declined.

State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said a ban isn't necessary. He argued that the free market has already led some businesses to go smoke-free anyway.

"Really, our vote is our dollar bill in the marketplace," he said.

Voting "no" were state Reps. Shane Cultra, R-Onarga, and Keith Sommer, R-Mackinaw.

Voting "yes" were state Reps. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, and Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth.

The legislation is Senate Bill 500.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.