You can help crown a winner for the Illinois Cannabis Cup
You must purchase a judging kit, including samples and a scorecard, to participate. The kits cost between $75 and $300.
Watch CBS News
You must purchase a judging kit, including samples and a scorecard, to participate. The kits cost between $75 and $300.
City leaders say Lollapalooza brings in $300 million in tourism money each year – but CBS 2's Lauren Victory found the four-day festival doesn't do every business good.
Struggling cannabis license holders of color are making an appeal to Illinois state lawmakers. They said without urgent help, they won't make the July deadline to open and could lose their investment.
The legal cannabis transporters say they will be forced out of business if the state does not enforce its own standards.
More than a dozen licensed cannabis transporters accuse the state of failing to regulate how marijuana is being moved – despite strict and expensive regulations in place.
Issues at the state level are still affecting those still working to break into our state’s billion-dollar industry – more than three years after recreational marijuana became legal. CBS 2's Tara Molina reports.
Social equity cannabis license holders in Illinois have been up against years of state delays, COVID delays, lawsuits, and red tape.
When marijuana was legalized more than three years ago in Illinois, state leaders sold it as a chance to repair the harm done to communities of color hit hardest by the War on Drugs. On Friday, a cannabis company became the first social equity manufacturer in the city to open its doors, but they acknowledge more work still needs to be done to level the playing field. CBS 2's Charlie De Mar had the story.
Chicago's first independent, Black-owned marijuana dispensary, The Grasshopper Club, is making 4/20 Day a community event. Digital journalist Jamaica Ponder sat down with co-owner Matthew Brewer to learn more about their effort to destigmatize the culture around cannabis.
Her plane landed in San Antonio, Texas. Griner was freed from Russia in exchange for notorious international arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Hip Hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs enters a tentative agreement to purchase the largest U.S. wholesaler of branded cannabis, Cresco Labs.
The activists said they want to see more loans and grants distributed and more leniency for people who need more time to open their businesses.
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.
Despite promises of equity, legal red tape has crushed some businesses before they've even started.
CBS 2's Marie Saavedra talked with festival organizer Abigail Watkins.
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.
April 20 may be just another day for some, but for others, it's 4/20 – an homage to marijuana.
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.
CBS 2's Tara Molina talked to two cannabis license winners who have been held up waiting to open their own businesses.
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.
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.
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.
This story is about a lottery winner – but it doesn't involve little white balls or scratch-off tickets.
Recreational marijuana sales continue to break records in Illinois, but the same companies have continued to cash in – until now.
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.
Chicago has outscored opponents 51-18 during its winning streak, the team's longest since an eight-game run in July 2023.
The family said they fed their dog, Maya, the brand's "Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free" food for years based on marketing claims that it was "the healthiest food possible."
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley was hospitalized earlier this month after suffering a stroke, but has since returned home and is doing fine, according to his former press secretary.
Where Route 66 begins, so, too, does a love story for Ed and Jackie Fogle.
Another truck hit the historic covered bridge in north suburban Long Grove on Tuesday.
A federal grand jury indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on wire and bank fraud-related charges on Tuesday, the Justice Department says, accusing it of paying members of extremist groups as part of its efforts to investigate them.
Voters in Indiana are now banned from using university IDs to cast their ballots.
A new push has been launched to get a Chicago Bears stadium deal approved in Springfield, in an effort to keep the Bears in Illinois.
President Donald Trump's influence on the Republican Party is facing a test in Indiana's upcoming primary.
FBI Director Kash Patel filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic, saying a recent story about his alleged frequent drinking and absences included "false and obviously fabricated" claims.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Skyrocketing property taxes continue to be a hot-button issue in Cook County — particularly since last fall, when many residents saw their tax bills increase by 100% or more.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
Tenants at a South Loop luxury high-rise that has been plagued with problems like broken elevators are vowing to fight five-day eviction notices.
It's become an annual March Madness tradition at CBS Chicago, pitting our city's best eateries in direct competition in a foodie bracket challenge. We did pizza, we've done Italian beef, we've done Chicago dogs. This year, we're taking flight with wings.
It has been several weeks since West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois, abruptly shut down — and then on Wednesday, it just as swiftly partially reopened, with some services available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 80% of deaths related to pregnancy are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Allergy season is here, and the dreaded pollen can trigger sneezing, congestion, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Northwestern Medicine and the American Red Cross teamed up for a community blood drive in Chicago on Monday morning.
Trader Joe's is planning to open a new location at the Lincoln Village Shopping Center in Chicago's North Park neighborhood, the office of Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) recently announced.
The satirical news outlet The Onion has a new plan to take over conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars platforms and turn them into parodies.
Whole Foods will soon be moving into a vacant space in a relatively new commercial building in Chicago's Lakeview community, a local chamber of commerce group said.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
A new restaurant has joined the busy stretch of Halsted Street toward the south end of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood that is also home to Alinea and Boka.
The satirical news outlet The Onion has a new plan to take over conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars platforms and turn them into parodies.
Emily Saliers, one-half of the Atlanta folk duo The Indigo Girls, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with two incurable movement disorders that will forever change the way that she sings.
Blues icon and world music pioneer Taj Mahal will be headlining the Chicago Blues Festival this June.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Afrika Bambaataa, a rapper and producer, was best known for breakthrough tracks like 1982's "Planet Rock" and for founding the Universal Zulu Nation art collective.
Improvements will be at 28 L stops and 14 bus turnarounds, with upgrades including landscaping, new lighting, new signage, and new child-sized benches.
A workshop held on Tuesday brought together leaders from different city departments and partner agencies. The focus was to make sure everyone is prepared to coordinate and respond when severe weather hits.
The family said their dog, Maya, died in 2024 at age ten from a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy, linked to some grain-free diets, resulting from the food.
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley was hospitalized earlier this month after suffering a stroke, but has since returned home and is doing fine, according to his former press secretary.
As Route 66 celebrates 100 years, Ed and Jackie Fogle mark a milestone of their own — 25 years of marriage this June. Now, they're ready for Route 66 again.
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley was hospitalized earlier this month after suffering a stroke, but has since returned home and is doing fine, according to his former press secretary.
Noble Square residents say they've been dealing with cars flying off the Kennedy Expressway and crashing into their front yard for decades, with no IDOT help.
Just over a month after a grooming truck packed with dogs was stolen in Lincoln Park, CPD says the same thief is accused of a string of new crimes
The family said they fed their dog, Maya, the brand's "Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free" food for years based on marketing claims that it was "the healthiest food possible."
A federal grand jury indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on wire and bank fraud-related charges on Tuesday, the Justice Department says, accusing it of paying members of extremist groups as part of its efforts to investigate them.
Residents in one part of Chicago's Noble Square neighborhood say they've been dealing with cars careening off the Kennedy Expressway and crashing into their front yard for decades, and the state won't help.
Madeline Morgan said she was repeatedly stalked and abused, even though the man responsible was forced to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, which was cut off.
Chicago deals with the worst traffic congestion in the U.S., according to the 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard from INRIX, a transportation analytics company.
A specially designed playground in the West Pullman neighborhood is making a difference, addressing flooding and the impact of climate change across Chicago.
A tree planting initiative has kicked off in Chatham, among the Chicago neighborhoods most plagued by flooding, to help with the persistent problem.
Chicago has outscored opponents 51-18 during its winning streak, the team's longest since an eight-game run in July 2023.
With four picks in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft this weekend, the Chicago Bears are expected to try to shore up their defense, particularly their pass rush, in an effort to build a consistent playoff contender.
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is leaving, the team announced Tuesday.
Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer for Chicago, and Michael Conforto added a sacrifice fly.
The Bears currently hold seven draft picks, starting with the 25th overall in the first round, their lowest selection in well over a decade.
Cook County Crime Stoppers will be canvassing Tuesday in search of answers in the hit-and-run that killed 15-year-old Violet Harris in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood last month.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with robbing a woman on a CTA Blue Line train on Chicago's Northwest Side, Chicago police said Tuesday.
The FBI on Tuesday announced a reward of $50,000 for the arrest and conviction of a man wanted in the 2021 shooting death of a National Guard member.
Mexico's security officials said a gunman opened fired at the popular tourist spot, killing a Canadian woman and injuring at least 13 people, including six Americans.
D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14 and mutilating a body.
