Legal marijuana sales may be restricted from most of downtown Chicago

By Vincent Caruso

09/18/2019

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has proposed zoning changes that would keep marijuana dispensaries out of most of the downtown business district after recreational use becomes legal on Jan. 1 in Illinois.

TAGS: Brendan Reilly, Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, marijuana, zoning

Illinois becomes 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana

By Vincent Caruso, Austin Berg

06/25/2019

The Land of Lincoln is the first state to legalize recreational marijuana via the legislative process rather than a ballot initiative.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, JB Pritzker, marijuana

20 tax and fee hikes totaling $4.6 billion coming soon for Illinoisans

By Adam Schuster

06/14/2019

The Illinois General Assembly and governor devised 20 different ways to take more money from taxpayers to finance spending on government operations and infrastructure.

TAGS: alcohol tax, fair tax, gas tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, marijuana, progressive income tax, streaming tax, taxes

What you need to know about marijuana legalization in Illinois

By Austin Berg

06/01/2019

Answers to frequently asked questions about Illinois’ cannabis legalization law.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, legalization, marijuana

Illinois lawmakers pass marijuana legalization

By Vincent Caruso

05/31/2019

A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois is en route to the highest office in the state.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, expungement, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, licensing, marijuana, regulations

Restoring Justice Act would give less time to Illinoisans when their offense becomes less of a crime

By Vincent Caruso

02/14/2019

As Illinois works to decriminalize minor offenses, the Restoring Justice Act would adjust sentences for past offenders.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, Illinois’ Cannabis Control, JB Pritzker, Kelly Cassidy, La Shawn Ford, marijuana

Pilot program for medical marijuana as alternative to opioids goes into effect

By Joe Barnas

02/05/2019

The Opioid Alternative Pilot Program launched Jan. 31, giving more Illinoisans the option to treat pain with medical marijuana in place of opioids.

TAGS: Alternative to Opioids Act, Bruce Rauner, Kelly Cassidy, marijuana, opioid

Marijuana convictions soon might come off Illinois criminal records

By Vincent Caruso

11/30/2018

Illinoisans convicted of possession of cannabis prior to the state’s 2016 decriminalization law could see those crimes expunged under a bill passed by the Illinois House.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, decriminalization, expungement, marijuana

Momentum builds for pardon of Peoria man who served 15 years for drug offense

By Joe Kaiser

08/28/2018

Jason Spyres was arrested on drug charges nearly 20 years ago. In the years since, he’s been on a path of personal success and growth. A pardon from Gov. Bruce Rauner should follow.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, marijuana, sentencing reform

Rauner signs bill allowing medical marijuana alternative for opioid prescriptions

By Vincent Caruso

08/28/2018

The Alternative to Opioids Act will give more Illinoisans the option to treat pain with medical marijuana.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, criminal justice reform, decriminalization, marijuana, opioid, Toi Hutchinson