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"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."
The state issued 149 retail licenses on Friday, more than doubling the number of pot shops statewide.
Applicants have to finish their compliance checks before they can get their licenses.
"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.
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.
"For us not to be open on this 4/20 is extremely frustrating."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Marijuana sales in Illinois topped out at more than $108 million between recreational and medical dispensaries last month, state officials said Monday.
They did everything right – secured a space, put the money up, and now they're waiting for a marijuana license.
The lottery for licenses to run cannabis dispensaries in Illinois is set to happen in the next few weeks.
Since legalizing marijuana in Illinois the state has raked in millions in revenue, but as Illinois moved forward with handing out its first round of new licenses, many aren't convinced there is social equity in the pot game.
It has been months since the Chicago City Council approved a plan to update the way a roughly two-mile stretch of Broadway in the Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods is zoned.
Winter weather alerts are in effect near Chicago area as snow moves in on Wednesday.
One of multiple hearings starts Wednesday for the four people charged with shooting and killing Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston in 2023.
Steve Buzil with SitClose Tickets was outside Soldier Field doing another media interview about ticket sales on Sunday when he came across Ruth and Mikey.
The district said the victims were attempting to go ice fishing, and both were struggling to keep their heads above water.
It has been months since the Chicago City Council approved a plan to update the way a roughly two-mile stretch of Broadway in the Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods is zoned.
Rick Garcia, a longtime Chicago LGBTQ+ activist and community leader who was at the forefront of many civil rights victories, died this week.
Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the committee's chairman, said the panel will move next week on holding them in contempt.
The Supreme Court heard two cases involving laws from Idaho and West Virginia that ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports.
The group of journalists who won a preliminary injunction over federal agents' use of force have filed to have the same judge hear the state's new lawsuit against the Trump administration.
Police in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva are warning of a scam involving spoofed phone numbers.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
As this holiday season nears its end, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning Tuesday about text scams.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
January is Radon Action Month, and the Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for radon.
Severe flu season is sending many people to hospital emergency rooms across the country, including in the Chicago area.
Unionized health care workers this week took aim at Northwestern Medicine, saying the health care system needs to hire more people before expanding the emergency room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that its recommendations for childhood vaccines will not be affected by a change in federal guidelines.
The first pediatric flu death for this year's flu season has been reported, Illinois health officials said, as flu cases across the state continue to rise.
Does the Chicago Bears' dramatic improvement this season, culminating in their first playoff run in five years, change the discussion about where they will build a new stadium?
The Piggery, a popular barbecue restaurant and bar in the northwest corner of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, announced Thursday that it is going out of business.
The Lincolnwood Town Center mall in the north Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood has been sold to a developer, the village announced Wednesday.
They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but a longtime Chicago fried chicken institution said imitation went too far after a new business opened with a very similar name.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at the age of 68, his first ex-wife revealed on Tuesday.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Chicago Theatre Week brings value-priced tickets for shows from Feb. 5 until Feb. 15 at Chicago's stage venues. Tickets can sell for $30, $15, or even less.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
It has been months since the Chicago City Council approved a plan to update the way a roughly two-mile stretch of Broadway in the Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods is zoned. Now, a group of homeowners long opposed to the change are suing to undo it.
In an exclusive interview, Mayor Brandon Johnson told Chris Tye that safety on the CTA is a priority.
Meteorologist Laura Bannon has the extended forecast.
One of multiple hearings starts Wednesday for the four people charged with shooting and killing Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston in 2023.
The Women's Soul Line Dance Group began just more than a year ago as a weekly gathering with just five women there, but has grown into a Tuesday staple that draws nearly 60 women of all ages.
Winter weather alerts are in effect near Chicago area as snow moves in on Wednesday.
One of multiple hearings starts Wednesday for the four people charged with shooting and killing Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston in 2023.
Steve Buzil with SitClose Tickets was outside Soldier Field doing another media interview about ticket sales on Sunday when he came across Ruth and Mikey.
A man has been charged with reckless homicide and driving under the influence in a crash that killed two people outside Chicago Police Headquarters in 2024.
It has been months since the Chicago City Council approved a plan to update the way a roughly two-mile stretch of Broadway in the Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods is zoned.
Lead-based paint was banned for serious health reasons in 1978, but most homes built before then remain covered in it.
Fire department officials in Chicago's western suburbs said drone technology has been helping keep firefighters safe and make a major impact on public safety.
With the stores becoming a common target for thieves, some of the stores in the Chicago area are taking new steps to fight back.
As thousands of people are expected downtown for New Year's Eve celebrations, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago police, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications are trying to get out ahead of any safety concerns.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Steve Buzil with SitClose Tickets was outside Soldier Field doing another media interview about ticket sales on Sunday when he came across Ruth and Mikey.
Ramova Theater in Bridgeport is setting up for a Bears vs. Rams watch party for thousands of fans Sunday.
The Chicago Bears are on a hot streak, which means fans looking for tickets to Sunday's playoffs game are a target for scammers and fraudsters.
Sports experts said there may be some advantages they have on their side to keep the playoff winning streak going.
Johnson made it clear that he didn't like the Packers in a locker room video following their Wild Card win.
A man was left in critical condition Tuesday morning after he was shot while driving in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood and went on to crash his car.
Adam Beckerink, the man charged with murder in the death of his estranged wife, Caitlin Tracey, was set to appear for a detention hearing Tuesday after being extradited to Chicago.
A man has been charged with stabbing a CTA passenger to death while the victim was sleeping on a Blue Line train over the weekend in the Loop.
The state of Illinois and city of Chicago are suing the Trump administration and Department of Homeland Security for unlawful use of force and dangerous tactics in immigration raids.
A man and a 6-year-old boy were stabbed in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood Sunday night.
