Social equity applicants for marijuana licenses have dreams crushed by legal red tape
Despite promises of equity, legal red tape has crushed some Illinois marijuana businesses before they've even started. CBS 2's Charlie De Mar reports.
Cannabis
Social equity applicants for marijuana licenses have dreams crushed by legal red tape
Despite promises of equity, legal red tape has crushed some businesses before they've even started.
Waldos Forever Festival set for Saturday for first time since recreational marijuana legalization
CBS 2's Marie Saavedra talked with festival organizer Abigail Watkins.
Waldos Forever Festival returns for first time since recreational marijuana legalization
The marijuana-friendly Waldos Forever Festival is set for Saturday – marking the first time it has been held since marijuana has been legal in Illinois for recreational use. CBS 2's Marie Saavedra talked with organizer Abigail Watkins.
Two years after recreational marijuana legalization, Illinois is raking in tax revenue
April 20 may be just another day for some, but for others, it's 4/20 – an homage to marijuana.
With Illinois legislative session ending, situation called 'dire' for some marijuana entrepreneurs
The State of Illinois made $131 million last month alone in legal weed sales – but none of that marijuana was grown or produced by new state license winners trying to break into the industry.
Illinois cannabis license winners still waiting
CBS 2's Tara Molina talked to two cannabis license winners who have been held up waiting to open their own businesses.
Black and Brown cannabis entrepreneurs are still in limbo with license delays
This St. Patrick's Day, the State of Illinois released an update on another kind of green – the billions of dollars in legalized weed sold in Illinois without one new license winner cleared to open in more than two years.
Black and Brown cannabis entrepreneurs are still in limbo with license delays
This St. Patrick's Day, the State of Illinois released an update on another kind of green – the billions of dollars in legalized weed sold in Illinois without one new license winner cleared to open in more than two years. CBS 2's Tara Molina talked to two entrepreneurs who remain in limbo.
State Of Illinois Asks Public To Help Identify Community Organizations That Will Receive Grants For Marijuana Revenues
Nearly $2.5 billion has poured into Illinois since recreational marijuana became legal in 2020, and with every sale, part of the tax goes to help fund community organizations.
Englewood Native Victoria Williams Is Proud Illinois Marijuana License Winner
This story is about a lottery winner – but it doesn't involve little white balls or scratch-off tickets.
Gov. Pritzker Signs Law To Get Ball Rolling After Continued Delays In Licenses For Minority Marijuana Entrepreneurs
Recreational marijuana sales continue to break records in Illinois, but the same companies have continued to cash in – until now.
'If We Don't Fight, Who Will?': Activists Demand Reparations For Ex-Cons Convicted Of Marijuana Charges In Illinois
Starting Monday, an activist group plans to stage a weeklong sit-in outside a marijuana dispensary, demanding reparations for ex-convicts who were put away for a drug that has now been made legal.
Recreational Marijuana Sales Hit New Record High In Illinois, And Number Is Expected To Keep Rising
Recreational marijuana sales just set a new record high – nearly $64 million worth of cannabis was sold last month.
Illinois Earns $52 Million in Taxes In First Six Months Of Legal Recreational Pot
In the first six months of legal recreational marijuana, the State of Illinois raked in $52 million in taxes.
Illinois Pushes Back Deadline To Issue New Marijuana Licenses
Illinois is pushing back its deadline for issuing new licenses to grow, infuse and transport marijuana.
South Loop School Parents Appalled At School Lunch Rule Instituted Over Worries About Marijuana
Now that marijuana is legal in Illinois, one Chicago public school wanted to protect its students from exposure to cannabis by changing the lunch policy.
Chicago Hosts Cannabis Resource Fair To Help People Profit From Pot
Now that marijuana is legal in Illinois the city hosted the first fair aimed at helping people get into the pot business.
Four Arrested After Tip About Illegal Sales, Employees With Weapons At Gurnee CBD Store
Four people were arrested Friday after Gurnee police found more than 200 pounds of cannabis while executing a search warrant at a local CBD store.
Aspiring Recreational Marijuana Entrepreneurs Rushing To Meet License Application Deadline
Thursday is the deadline to apply for a recreational dispensary license, and applicants must submit their paperwork by 4 p.m.
L.A.-Based 4thMVMT Steps Up To Help Bring Social Equity To Chicago's Cannabis Business
As Illinois moves forward licensing dispensaries for legalized marijuana, minorities said they are getting left out of opportunities because of the high cost.
City Of Evanston To Use Cannabis Revenue For Reparations Fund For African-American Residents
Chicago Wants Your Input On Proposed Recreational Marijuana Regulations
Soon recreational marijuana will be legal in Illinois, and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has proposed a plan that would ban sale in most of downtown Chicago and split the rest of the city into seven "cannabis zones."
Map Showing Impacted Areas For Marijuana Licenses Released
The state on Tuesday begins accepting a new round of applications for marijuana cultivators, dispensaries and more.
Patient Who Ordered THC Chocolates Gets 4 Years In Prison
Camic says the 37-year-old Franzen has stage 4 cancer and was using the chocolates to relieve himself from symptoms, such as nausea.
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Latest News
2 killed, 8 injured in mass shooting downtown; suspect in custody
A suspect is in custody after two people were killed and eight others were injured during a mass shooting downtown Thursday night.
Chicago Police shoot 13-year-old boy who fled from stolen vehicle wanted in Oak Park auto theft
The boy is hospitalized in serious condition.
New curfew for Millennium Park now in effect for kids under 18
Children under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult following last week's chaos.
Chicago Food Truck Fest returns Friday to Daley Plaza
"The Chicago Food Truck Festival showcases the city's food truck industry and the resilient entrepreneurs behind it."
City Council committee to vote on Chicago casino plan, which has some neighbors thinking of selling condos and leaving
There is still a push from nearby residents to stop the billon-dollar Bally's project that is planned for the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West.
Chicago First Alert Weather: Thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening
Storm chances are on the way.
Fiery crash involving 2 cars and semi truck causing delays on I-80/94 on Calumet Avenue
The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.
Chicago First Alert Weather: Breezy overnight, lows in the 60s
Other than an isolated chance for a shower, we'll be just warm and breezy overnight.
Man dies after being pulled from Lake Michigan near South Side's Calumet Park
He had gone into the water with friends, police said.
2 killed, 8 injured in mass shooting downtown; suspect in custody
Police confirmed a suspect is in custody and a weapon was recovered from the scene.
Cubs lose to Diamondbacks, drop second straight
Zac Gallen pitched five effective innings, Daulton Varsho homered and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cubs on Thursday night.
Northwestern Wildcats women's lacrosse team is off to Final Four after pounding Syracuse
The No. 4 Northwestern Wildcats women's lacrosse team hosted No. 5 Syracuse Thursday, with the Final Four on the line.
Eleventh contempt of court order issued against DCFS Director Marc Smith
An 11-year-old abused girl, considered a risk to herself and others, has spent two months in what's considered a shelter and has been waiting months longer for a secure residential treatment center placement.
Chef Jin Lew out of coma weeks after being carjacked, brutally beaten in Chinatown
Lew was heading home after visiting his son in the South Loop when he was attacked in Chinatown.
White Sox finish 3-game series with 7-4 victory over the Royals
Luis Robert homered and drove in four runs as the Chicago White Sox rallied past the Kansas City City Royals 7-4 Thursday to win the five-game series.
Two Chicago area college players hope to make their mark next month at the NBA draft combine
"Even though teams are interviewing me, it's almost like I'm interviewing them as well, trying to learn."
'Operation Basketball' gives kids a summertime game and the chance to get a summer job
"We've had kids be like 'I didn't even know I could sign up for these jobs so thank you!' and that makes it all worth it."
As prices rise, big box stores reveal how shoppers are navigating inflation
As inflation rises, shoppers are looking for alternative ways to make their dollar go a bit further.
'COVID didn't make it any easier': Latinos undercounted in the census with Illinois losing millions
"Latino populations are, in fact, one of several historically hard to count populations."
Missing elderly Markham woman Olga Gutierrez found safe
An elderly woman who had been missing from Markham since Sunday night has been found, and is being treated at a nearby hospital.
At least five catalytic converters found after Irving Park car crash just after reported theft, nationwide spike
Catalytic converters were left all over the ground at the scene of an awful car crash Thursday morning in the Irving Park neighborhood.
Family, friends hold balloon release for Seandell Holliday; shot, killed in Millennium Park last week
Attendees released blue and pink balloons to honor Seandell Holliday.
Boy, 17, shot and killed in vehicle in West Pullman
He was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center.
Police activity halts Loop 'L' trains at State/Lake station
Loop 'L' trains were halted at the State/Lake station Thursday afternoon due to police activity.
Metra to pay $12M in a settlement for accident killing two teenage girls
Lawyers said the teenaged driver stopped for a red light, but because the intersection was confusing and covered in snow, he didn't know he was on tracks.
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2 killed, 8 injured in mass shooting downtown; suspect in custody
A suspect is in custody after two people were killed and eight others were injured during a mass shooting downtown Thursday night.
Chicago Police shoot 13-year-old boy who fled from stolen vehicle wanted in Oak Park auto theft
The boy is hospitalized in serious condition.
New curfew for Millennium Park now in effect for kids under 18
Children under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult following last week's chaos.
Chicago Food Truck Fest returns Friday to Daley Plaza
"The Chicago Food Truck Festival showcases the city's food truck industry and the resilient entrepreneurs behind it."
City Council committee to vote on Chicago casino plan, which has some neighbors thinking of selling condos and leaving
There is still a push from nearby residents to stop the billon-dollar Bally's project that is planned for the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West.
CBS 2 Investigators
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Eleventh contempt of court order issued against DCFS Director Marc Smith
An 11-year-old abused girl, considered a risk to herself and others, has spent two months in what's considered a shelter and has been waiting months longer for a secure residential treatment center placement.
Park Ridge man says failures by Post Office cost him opportunity to run for state Senate as write-in
Michael Walters thought he did everything right.
CBS 2 Chicago wins four regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
CBS 2 Chicago won four regional Edward R. Murrow awards, the most of any station.
Red Cross looking for volunteers to install smoke detectors
This week alone, the Red Cross has helped 132 victims in Chicago and the suburbs after house fires.
KN95 masks that failed federal testing for health care workers were given to CPS schools in Omicron surge
A teacher brought concerns about the masks received in schools in January to the attention of CBS 2 News.
Politics
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Aldermen back more than $16M in settlements for two more lawsuits against Chicago police
One of the lawsuits involves one of four men wrongfully convicted for a 1992 double murder. That case has now cost Chicago taxpayers more than $43 million in verdicts and settlements.
Biden to invoke Defense Production Act to address baby formula shortage
Suppliers will be required to give resources to infant formula plants before sending to other customers.
Park Ridge man says failures by Post Office cost him opportunity to run for state Senate as write-in
Michael Walters thought he did everything right.
Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky, Idaho and Oregon primary results
CBS News projects Chuck Edwards will win the GOP nomination in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, defeating incumbent Rep. Madison Cawthorn.
Madison Cawthorn, Trump-backed incumbent congressman, loses primary
CBS News projects Chuck Edwards will win the Republican primary in the 11th Congressional District.
Consumer News
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Demand rises for donated breast milk amid baby formula shortage
With parents struggling to navigate the baby formula shortage, breast milk donation banks are seeing a sharp increase in demand — but also a jump in donations.
Baby formula shortage still leaves families desperate, especially those restricted by federal WIC program rules
Walk into the baby formula aisle at just about any drug or grocery store around the country, and you will still see rows of empty shelves.
Abbott to resume production of baby formula at Sturgis, Michigan plant after recall
Abbott Nutrition said after its plant in Sturgis, Michigan gets back in operation, product could be back on shelves in six to eight weeks, subject to approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Chicago gas prices hit new record, at more than $5 per gallon
According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $5.12 as of Tuesday morning.
Parents desperate, searching for options amid persistent nationwide baby formula shortage
Parents are struggling to keep up with the nationwide shortage of baby formula – with several retailers now limiting how much you can buy. So what do you do if you can't find any?
Health
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FDA clears COVID-19 booster shot for healthy kids ages 5 to 11
There is one more hurdle: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must decide whether to formally recommend the booster for this age group.
Abbott baby formula plant could reopen in two weeks
Sturgis plant will reopen soon as nationwide out-of-stock levels of baby formula rise above 40%.
COVID-19 reaches 'high' community risk level in Evanston
The Evanston Department of Health and Human Service reported 397 new COVID-19 cases over the last seven days – up from 305 the prior week.
Advocate Aurora Health merging with Charlotte-based Atrium Health
Advocate Aurora Health will be merging with Atrium Health.
CPS launches 'Please Stay' campaign to promote mental health and prevent teen suicides
Chicago Public Schools has become the first school district in the nation to launch a new anti-suicide campaign created by Lady Gaga's Born This Way foundation.
Business
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City Council committee to vote on Chicago casino plan, which has some neighbors thinking of selling condos and leaving
There is still a push from nearby residents to stop the billon-dollar Bally's project that is planned for the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West.
Crime and chaos downtown and beyond are keeping tourists away from Chicago
Such events as the chaos downtown that led to a deadly shooting right in the middle of Millennium Park have led people to cancel trips, meetings, and events in Chicago because they don't feel safe.
Carvana tower in Skokie put on hold after Illinois suspends dealer's state license
The village of Skokie is telling Carvana it cannot build a proposed 14-story car vending tower, just three months after the project won approval from village trustees.
FTX cryptocurrency exchange opens new headquarters in Chicago
Mayor Lori Lightfoot helped cut the ribbon Tuesday morning to open the official U.S. headquarters of FTX, a Bahamas-based cryptocurrency exchange.
Bally's unveils further plans for Chicago casino; some aldermen say it's being pushed through too fast
The city did not conduct a new safety study to determine how crime would be impacted by a casino - in hopes of getting the casino up and generating revenue quickly.
Sports
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Cubs lose to Diamondbacks, drop second straight
Zac Gallen pitched five effective innings, Daulton Varsho homered and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cubs on Thursday night.
White Sox finish 3-game series with 7-4 victory over the Royals
Luis Robert homered and drove in four runs as the Chicago White Sox rallied past the Kansas City City Royals 7-4 Thursday to win the five-game series.
Two Chicago area college players hope to make their mark next month at the NBA draft combine
"Even though teams are interviewing me, it's almost like I'm interviewing them as well, trying to learn."
Quigley misfires on game's final shot, Sky lose to Seattle Storm
Ezi Magbegor scored 21 points, Breanna Stewart added 13 and the Seattle Storm held on to beat the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night.
Tough night for Giolito as White Sox lose to Royals
Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez homered and fellow rookie Emmanuel Rivera hit a go-ahead triple, leading the Kansas City Royals over the Chicago White Sox Wednesday night.
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Entertainment
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CBS unveils 2022-2023 primetime lineup
CBS announced its 2022-2023 primetime programming lineup of CBS Originals, featuring four new dramas and more.
Dave Chappelle attacked by armed man while onstage in L.A.
The controversial comic laughed off the incident after being tackled, and video appeared to show the person who charged him being beaten onstage.
Naomi Judd, Grammy-winning singer, has died at 76
"We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness," the Judd sisters said on social media.
'Jersey Boys' is returning to a Chicago stage next week
The new national tour of "Jersey Boys" opens next week at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, celebrating the music of the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Lollapalooza announces daily lineup; single-day tickets now on sale
The lineup includes Thursday headliners Metallica and Lil Baby, Friday headliners Dua Lipa and Machine Gun Kelly, Saturday headliners J. Cole and Kygo, and Sunday headliners Green Day and Doja Cat.
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'A Sweet Girl' food truck Fest getting ready as fest returns to Daley Plaza
The Chicago Food Truck Festival returns Friday at Daley Plaza. The weekly festival features a rotating selection of food trucks from around the city.
Chicago First Alert Weather: Thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening
CBS 2 meteorologist Laura Bannon has the forecast.
2 killed, 8 injured in mass shooting downtown; suspect in custody
Police said the mass shooting took place just after 10:40 p.m. outside of the McDonald's at Chicago Avenue and State Street. A McDonald's window was shattered during the shooting.
Chicago First Alert Weather: Storms coming Friday, big drop in temperatures for weekend
CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon has your 10 p.m. First Alert Weather forecast for Thursday, May 19, 2022.
New curfew rule now in effect at Millennium Park
From Thursday through Sunday after 6 p.m., minors are not allowed in Millennium Park unless accompanied by an adult 21 or over. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reports.
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