Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Range Question - Under-the-counter hood needed?

I currently have a gas range in a bar that separates the kitchen from the living room.

Above the range is a set of cabinets that I would like to remove to open the room up, but I’m concerned about losing the under-the-cabinet hood.

Note that the hood does not move exhaust out of the room, but rather takes all of the range’s hot air and passes it through a filter before releasing it back into the kitchen.

Does this really do anything for me?
Should I be concerned about losing the hood/fan?

Kitchen vents vented to the outdoors are effective for exhausting steam and odors out of the home and preferred over recirculating vents. Recirculating vents, however, trap grease, and filter odors and steam. Depending on number of CFMs (cubic feet/minute) air (if properly sized), the recirculating fan can do a somewhat decent job. A recirculating vent hood is better than no vent at all.

depending on your city removing it could be a code volation. if it is a you ever had a fire kiss your insurance good buy