J.B. Pritzker Interview — On Marijuana, Energy Legislation, Ethics, And The Speaker
Tuesday marks one year since J.B. Pritzker was sworn in as governor of Illinois. Since then, the state has raised its minimum wage, legalized marijuana,…
Jason Erkes Of Cresco Labs Discusses Plans For Danville Cannabis Dispensary
Operators of a new recreational cannabis dispensary in Danville say they hope to open in the spring. Chicago-based Cresco Labs operates cannabis businesses in seven states. In Illinois, it owns cannabis cultivation facilities in Joliet, Lincoln and Kankakee, and operates recreational dispensaries under its Sunnyside brand in Rockford, Chicago, Elmwood Park, Buffalo Grove and Champaign….
What Legalization Means For People With Cannabis Convictions In Illinois
When he was in his early 20s, Matt purchased a pound of weed to split with his friends. The drug dealer dropped it off at his apartment in central Illinois. Moments later, he said, cops stormed in, and arrested Matt and his friends. He spent a night in jail, two-and-half years on probation, and for…
House Set To Vote To Send Trump Impeachment Articles To Senate
The long-awaited move announced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sets the stage for a Senate trial to begin next week. Pelosi also plans to name who will present the case for impeachment in the trial.
Four Takeaways From The Final Democratic Debate Before The Iowa Caucuses
The candidates clashed over war, gender and health care with less than three weeks to go before the first votes in the Democratic presidential nominating fight.
The Challenges of Cannabis Finances
On just the first day of sales on January 1, legal marijuana in Illinois brought in nearly $3.2 million dollars, with a total of almost $11 million dollars in sales by the end of that week, according to the state. But while recreational weed is now legal in Illinois, it’s still considered a schedule 1 drug at the…
The State Of Cannabis: Two Towns, Two Decisions On Cannabis Sales
Rantoul is looking forward to opening a new outdoor family sports complex, in 2021. Hopes for the $20 million project made it easier for village trustees in the Champaign County town to vote to prohibit cannabis-related businesses within their borders. Meanwhile in Vermilion County, city officials in Danville chose to allow cannabis businesses. The two…
Illinois Lawmaker Seeking Capitol Parking for Pregnant Women
SPRINGFIELD — An Illinois legislator wants the state to set aside reserved parking spots for expectant mothers and parents with a newborn child at the Capitol Complex. Rep. Katie Stuart, an Edwardsville Democrat, said a pregnant lobbyist raised concerns about the issue during the last legislative session, The State Journal-Register reported. Secretary of State Jesse White’s office…
What Can Illinois’ Jails And Prisons Do To Improve The Lives Of The Children Of The Incarcerated?
Advocates have ideas being hashed out by a state task force. Attorney Alexis Mansfield said her clients have told her troubling stories of what happens…
Five Charts That Show Who’s Leaving Illinois And Why
More people are leaving Illinois. The biggest jumps are among older folks, high-income residents and those with college degrees.
Illinois Official Highlights Election Integrity Problems, Solutions
WASHINGTON – A central-Illinois election official told a Congressional panel Thursday some of the voting machines Illinoisans used in the last election are still susceptible to tampering. But he said efforts are underway to prevent it from happening again. In 2016, Russian military hackers targeted Illinois’ statewide voter database. The State Board of Elections addressed…
Bennett, Other Lawmakers, Voice Concern About “Rape In Champaign” Email
State lawmakers are reacting with alarm to a recently released email that refers to the cover-up of a quote “rape in Champaign”. State Senator Scott Bennett, a Champaign Democrat, says he was shocked and angered by the WBEZ report of a 2012 email from then-lobbyist Michael McClain to two aides in the administration of then-governor…
President Trump To Deliver Statement On Iran
The president’s remarks Wednesday morning will come shortly after Iran launched missile strikes against U.S. military forces in Iraq in apparent retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani.
After Successful Debut, Pritzker Has Work On Taxes, Ethics
SPRINGFIELD – Last June, as the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its spring session, first-year Gov. J.B. Pritzker was asked whether he would simply kick back and wait for his re-election campaign. After all, he had accomplished virtually everything on which he had campaigned: A balanced budget, a multi-billion-dollar statewide construction program, legalization of marijuana…