Illinois grants more licenses for cannabis businesses
Of those selected, 41% are majority Black-owned.
Marijuana
Hyde Park native to open Illinois' first Black-owned cannabis company
The artist is launching "93 Boyz" this weekend.
Illinois saw 50% increase in cannabis sales, with $1.5 billion in past fiscal year
"The $1.5 billion in sales of adult-use cannabis in Illinois translates into significant tax revenue with a portion of every dollar spent being reinvested in communities that have suffered for decades."
More Illinois Black, Latino business owners receive marijuana retail licenses
The state issued 149 retail licenses on Friday, more than doubling the number of pot shops statewide.
185 new marijuana dispensary licenses to be issued starting Friday
Applicants have to finish their compliance checks before they can get their licenses.
Glimmer of hope emerges for minorities waiting to cash in on Illinois recreational pot industry
"Black and Brown entrepreneurs are just sitting on the sidelines watching," said Akele Parnell, who won one of 185 new marijuana dispensary licenses being issued by the state after a lengthy court battle.
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.
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.
On 4/20, many minority marijuana businesses have yet to open
"For us not to be open on this 4/20 is extremely frustrating."
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.
"Dire" situation 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. CBS 2's Tara Molina reports.
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.
Cook County Sheriff's Office Seizes Homemade Cannabis-Infused Edibles And Labels Looking Like Candy, Says They're Not Safe
The contents of an evidence table tweeted out by the Cook County Sheriff's police on Wednesday seemed to show an assortment of packaging for familiar candy you might have received at Halloween as a kid – Nerds, Jolly Ranchers, Sweet Tarts, Starburst, Skittles. But take a closer look.
After Losing $50,000, Social Equity Applicants Waiting For Marijuana License Say State Has Failed Them
It has been more than a year since Illinois legalized and not one new operator has been given the green light to open up shop.
Combined Recreational, Medical Marijuana Sales Exceeded $108 Million In Illinois In October, State Says
Marijuana sales in Illinois topped out at more than $108 million between recreational and medical dispensaries last month, state officials said Monday.
Some Social Equity Applicants Say Their Own Money Is On The Line As Marijuana Licenses Are Delayed
They did everything right – secured a space, put the money up, and now they're waiting for a marijuana license.
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Woman, 19, shot in back while sitting inside vehicle in River North
This shooting is an part of a larger trend -- an uptick in crime in River North.
4 dead, 10 wounded in weekend shootings in Chicago
At least four people are dead and 10 others are wounded in shootings across the city as of Saturday.
Bud Billiken Parade kicks off Saturday Bronzeville
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown promised stepped-up security for the Bud Billiken Parade this weekend.
Police seek to identify person involved in vehicle crash in West Garfield Park
Investigators are seeking information that leads to the identity of the victim.
Chicago Weather Alert: Severe storms by late afternoon
There are low marginal chances for severe storms by late afternoon.
2 killed in multi-vehicle crash on I-80 in Grundy County
Two people are dead after a multi-vehicle crash on I-80 in Grundy County Friday afternoon.
Police investigation: Downers Grove teen dies from fall at parking garage in Elmhurst
Police are investigating the death of a Downers Grove teen who fell at a parking garage in Elmhurst Saturday morning.
Man, 62, dies after being shot in head at stop sign in Englewood
A 62-year-old man is dead following a shooting in the Englewood neighborhood Friday night.
PAWS Pet of the Week: Drizzel
Drizzel is a handsome, 11-year-old cat who loves the simple things in life.
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Woman, 19, shot in back while sitting inside vehicle in River North
This shooting is an part of a larger trend -- an uptick in crime in River North.
4 dead, 10 wounded in weekend shootings in Chicago
At least four people are dead and 10 others are wounded in shootings across the city as of Saturday.
Bud Billiken Parade kicks off Saturday Bronzeville
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown promised stepped-up security for the Bud Billiken Parade this weekend.
Police seek to identify person involved in vehicle crash in West Garfield Park
Investigators are seeking information that leads to the identity of the victim.
Chicago Weather Alert: Severe storms by late afternoon
There are low marginal chances for severe storms by late afternoon.
CBS 2 Investigators
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Offer to buy timeshare for over $1 million turns out to be elaborate scam
The timeshare owner says the business sent him elaborate emails and documentation, but the requests for money went on and on – until he was out more than $300,000.
$33.5 million verdict ordered against Village of Dolton in deadly 2016 crash involving police
Attorneys say it all started with a driver rolling through a stop sign.
New motion in R. Kelly case claims deceptive practices by former lead prosecutor
With the Chicago federal trial for R. Kelly and two of his associates set to begin in less than two weeks, attorneys for one of the defendants – Derrell McDavid – filed a bizarre motion in court Wednesday.
Englewood building residents go for 12 days without water service
That length of time made for a rough situation for people living in the building, and raised questions about why it took so long.
How did a driver end up going the wrong way on I-90, causing crash that killed six?
The Illinois Secretary of State's office said the women, Jennifer Fernandez of Carpentersville, had a valid driver's license and no offenses on her record.
Politics
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CBS 2 Legal Analyst Irv Miller on Mar-a-Lago search: an arrest warrant doesn't necessarily follow a search warrant
"Getting a search warrant is the first step toward gathering evidence," Miller said. "There might not be any crime committed and the document just sits in a file and that's the end of the story."
Mar-a-Lago search warrant released, reveals FBI seized top-secret classified documents
The Justice Department is investigating the former president for potential Espionage Act violations.
Trump lawyers agree to public release of Mar-a-Lago search warrant
The Justice Department asked a federal court to unseal the warrant, citing public interest in the case, and Trump said he encouraged its release.
DOJ moves to unseal search warrant used to seize docs from Trump's home
Attorney General Merrick Garland revealed he "personally approved" the extraordinary decision to seek the warrant.
Trump team mulls releasing Mar-a-Lago warrant, inventory, video, photos
The Justice Department asked a judge to unseal the search warrant and inventory, but Trump lawyers are considering releasing material prior to a ruling.
Consumer News
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Thefts of Kias and Hyundais are skyrocketing, up 767% this summer in Cook County
In light of the crime trend, law enforcement wants everyone to know what's going on and how best to protect themselves and their cars.
Judge finds Walgreens contributed to San Francisco's opioid crisis
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said, for more than a decade, Walgreens pharmacies in San Francisco dispensed hundreds of thousands of opioid prescriptions without performing enough due diligence.
Illinois AG warns of scam using phony websites to target banking customers
The scammers make the websites look real as they trick customers to enter their information to create a bank account.
Are we in a recession? An expert says yes, but there's a sliver of good news about falling prices
The GDP a measure of total spending on goods and services across the economy, fell at an annual rate of 0.9 percent, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
Inflation is at 40-year high, and one expert says cost of living is even worse than numbers say
The Consumer Price Index reports the price of gas skyrocketed nearly 60 percent over the last year – and it's of course far from the only commodity affected.
Health
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After he and his partner had monkeypox, fitness trainer warns 'how much of a joke this isn't'
The pain was so excruciating that a prescribed opioid didn't even help – that was Carson Twitchell's experience after he contracted monkeypox last month.
Chicago expecting 20,000 more monkeypox doses in coming weeks.
Chicago's top health official says the rush is on to get more monkeypox vaccine doses to those who need them, as infections continue to rise.
Chicago launches public health plan for monkeypox
The United States now counts more infections from the virus than any other country in the world. Since May, cases have grown from zero to 6,617.
U.S. declares monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency
The declaration could help the federal government respond as the number of cases grows and demand for the vaccine far exceeds supply around the country.
Are "Novids" special or just lucky at avoiding COVID-19?
It's estimated that more than 70% of Americans have had COVID, but we all know someone who says they've never had it.
Business
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Hyde Park native to open Illinois' first Black-owned cannabis company
The artist is launching "93 Boyz" this weekend.
Neighbors push back against proposal for gun shop, shooting range in Long Grove
The Long Grove village manager said he has received hundreds of emails about the proposal for a Range USA shop
Groupon lays off 500 employees
The departments affected include technology and sales.
Camp Aramoni brings boutique camping experience to site less than two hours away from Chicago
In the town of Tonica – less than two hours away from Chicago and right next to Starved Rock State Park – a hidden treasure sits on 96 acres of preserved land.
New 'first class' theatre at Wheeling Town Center hopes to draw back in-person crowds
Operators of the new theatre hope enhancing the experience will draw back crowds not since since before the pandemic.
Sports
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Kopech Ks 11, Vaughn hits 2-run single as Sox beat Tigers
Kopech was lifted despite blanking the Tigers on 85 pitches throught six innings.
Fans to get first glimpse at new-look Bears in first preseason game against Chiefs
Saturday's matchup will also mark the return of former head coach Matt Nagy, who serves on the Chiefs' staff.
Sky lose to Las Vegas Aces, are now tied for first with them
The Las Vegas Aces beat the Chicago Sky on Thursday night to move atop the WNBA standings with one game remaining.
Drew Smyly stars as Cubs beat Reds in 2nd 'Field of Dreams' game
Drew Smyly struck out nine in five scoreless innings, and the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night in Major League Baseball's second annual "Field of Dreams" game.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus speaks on Roquan Smith's contract situation
The Bears can fine Smith for not practicing since taking him off the PUP list.
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Entertainment
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Actor Anne Heche 'not expected to survive' after crashing into Mar Vista home, rep says
Actor Anne Heche was placed in a medically induced coma a few days after crashing her car into a Mar Vista home last Friday.
Olivia Newton-John, beloved singer and actress, dies at 73
Her husband John Easterling announced her passing on her Facebook page.
Elton John stops to see preview of Broadway In Chicago's 'The Devil Wears Prada'
A preview performance of Broadway in Chicago's new show "The Devil Wears Prada" had a very special guest in attendance this week.
Ambulance transports, arrests at Lollapalooza down this year compared with last
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications said 68 people were transported by ambulance from Lollapalooza this year, compared with 102 last year.
Lightfoot announces 10-year deal extension to host Lollapalooza in Chicago
Lightfoot's office said the deal comes with an "estimated future financial impact of nearly $4 billion for the Chicago economy."
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19-year-old shot in River North is latest in concerning uptick in crime
A woman is wounded after being shot in the River North neighborhood Saturday morning.
Chicago Weather Alert: Severe storms by late afternoon
By late afternoon we'll see thunderstorms, ahead of a cold front that comes through the Chicago area during the Saturday-to-Sunday overnight.
PAWS Pet of the Week: Drizzel
Drizzel is a handsome, 11-year-old cat who loves the simple things in life.
Chicago pools, beaches transitioning to fall schedule
It seems like just days ago, we were talking about lifeguard shortages ahead of public pools opening for the summer.
Noche Caribeña happening at Navy Pier Saturday
The sounds of Puerto Rico's rich musical culture will brightly fill the air at Navy Pier at 5 p.m.
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