OLNEY - It's not exactly a hellfire and brimstone sermon, but the Rev. Gary Wachtel is kicking up some smoke in Olney.

Wachtel is organizing a smoking ban protest parade at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Wachtel invites smoking advocates to join the parade route, which will run from the 600 block of East Main Street west to the Richland County Courthouse.

Parade advocates hope to encourage state lawmakers to repeal Illinois' three-month-old smoking ban.

The Smoke-Free Illinois Act outlaws smoking in public places and within 15 feet of their exterior doors and windows. People and establishments who violate the law can be fined up to $250.

"We will be smoking during the parade," Wachtel said.

To be legal, a smoker is forced to walk in the street on Main Street, Wachtel said.

"You can't be on the sidewalk because you're within 15 feet of the business's doors," Wachtel said.

Wachtel said he has received "pretty good support" from residents of Southern Illinois.

One smoking advocate will travel about 240 miles from Kentucky to be part of the parade, Wachtel said.

Wachtel said he doesn't oppose private business owners setting their own no-smoking policies.

"But I have a big problem being told by the state government that veterans can't smoke in the American Legion or the VFW after they come back from Iraq or Afghanistan," said Wachtel, an Army veteran.

Wachtel does not pastor a church, but he serves as chaplain for the local American Legion.

Wachtel said he secured a city permit for the parade, and police will barricade the ends of the parade route.

For more information, call Wachtel at 618-843-3559.

"We want to send our feelings to Springfield, to the state legislature, and ask for a repeal of the smoking ban," Wachtel said.

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.