Illinois

Independent ‘craft growers’ in Illinois struggle to secure financing for cannabis businesses

Published

1 year ago

October 28, 2023

Press Room

Independent ‘craft growers’ in Illinois struggle to secure financing for cannabis businesses

Saturday, October 28, 2023 3:36PM

CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s been four years since lawmakers legalized recreational pot sales in Illinois.

However, many entrepreneurs of color are still struggling to get a foothold in the industry.

The Cannabis Business Development Fund has delivered about $21 million of the $34 million in seed funding it had promised since 2021, according to data provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. But state records show there are currently 52 social equity dispensaries and 10 independent craft growers in operation. That is only a fraction of the nearly 300 combined licenses the state has awarded to date, and regulators are preparing to inject an additional $40 million into the program.

Advocates for independent cannabis operators are hoping to pass a list of rule changes during the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session.

Illinois Answers Project solutions reporter, Alex Nitkin, joined ABC 7 Chicago to discuss the issue. You can read his full report here.

Source link

Click to comment

Illinois

‘It’s a blessing’: Springfield Christmas dinner serves nearly 600

Published

10 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

‘It’s a blessing’: Springfield Christmas dinner serves nearly 600

SPRINGFIELD — Edwin DeJesus was showing his holiday spirit on his sleeve, and his pants, as he and his mom tucked into a roast beef dinner at the High School of Commerce Christmas Day.

“It is a blessing,” DeJesus said, wearing a green shirt showing Snoopy’s doghouse decorated with Christmas lights, green Dr. Seuss’ Grinch pants and a bright red hat.

Source link

Illinois

Illinois state trooper mourned after being struck, killed by car on I-55

Published

19 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Illinois state trooper mourned after being struck, killed by car on I-55 – CBS Chicago

Watch CBS News

Trooper Clay Carns served 11 years with ISP and was a husband and a father to two young kids. Jermont Terry reports.

Source link

Illinois

Illinois will be fourth school for Tomiwa Durojaiye

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Illinois will be fourth school for Tomiwa Durojaiye

Tomiwa Durojaiye was a three-star recruiting win for Kentucky in the 2022 high school cycle. The Delaware native picked the Wildcats over South Carolina after recording 58 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles as a senior. The senior defensive lineman would spend just one season in Lexington.

Duojiaye entered the transfer portal in the spring window ahead of the 2023 season. Durojaiye landed at West Virginia and had a strong year as a redshirt freshman. The defensive lineman recorded 23 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 14 pressures, and played 270 snaps. Despite the strong close to see playing for a 9-4 team, Durojaiye decided to enter the portal again.

Tomiwa Durojaiye landed at Florida State and only played 32 snaps this season. Durojaiye then became a three-time transfer when he entered the transfer portal on Dec. 9. The defensive lineman found another power conference home on Tuesday.

The defensive lineman has committed to Illinois and will play in a fourth power conference in 2025 after spending time in the SEC, Big 12, and ACC.

Alex Afari Jr. and Josh Kattus are the only signees from Kentucky’s 2022 high school class remaining on the roster.

The transfer portal is open for business and so far we know of 20 players who will be seeking out greener pastures this offseason.

DL Keeshawn Silver (Committed to USC on Dec. 19)
DB Avery Stuart
LB Jayvant Brown
TE Tanner Lemaster (Committed to Eastern Michigan on Dec. 22)
TE Khamari Anderson (Committed to Arizona State on Dec. 22)
TE Jordan Dingle (Committed to South Carolina on Dec. 18)
OL Courtland Ford (Committed to UCLA on Dec. 17)
OL Ben Christman
OL Dylan Ray (Committed to Minnesota on Dec. 21)
OL Koby Keenum (Committed to Mississippi State on Dec. 22)
DL Tommy Ziesmer (Committed to EKU on Dec. 15)
WR Dane Key
WR Barion Brown (Committed to LSU on Dec. 14)
WR Anthony Brown-Stephens
WR Brandon White
EDGE Tyreese Fearbry (Committed to Wisconsin on Dec. 22)
EDGE Noah Matthews
EDGE Caleb Redd (Committed to Kansas on Dec. 20)
RB Chip Trayanum
QB Gavin Wimsatt

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. Keep closer tabs on the Cats with our staff-only sticky thread on KSBoard, which will have updates on departures and targets throughout the offseason. Not a KSR+ member? Try it out today.

Source link