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Our Chicago: Increasing diversity in Illinois' adult use cannabis industry

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Our Chicago: Increasing diversity in Illinois' adult use cannabis industry


CHICAGO (WLS) — On January 1, 2020, recreational consumption, possession, and sales of cannabis products became legal in the State of Illinois.

In July, a study by the Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Office found that 60% of all cannabis business licenses went to minority or women-owned businesses.

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When broken down by race, 27% are majority Black owners, 5% are Latino, 3% are Asian and 14% are a mixed coalition.

However, not one dollar of sales was documented going to Black or Brown owners when the study ended in 2023. Instead, white male owners took in 78% of recreational dispensary sales and 91% of grower sales.

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Here’s what experts say can be done to increase diversity in Illinois’ adult use cannabis industry.

Cannabis advocate and license holder Lisbeth Vargas Jaimes says some restrictions need to be loosened.

“Unlike other states like California who allow for customer delivery and sale on consignment, transporter license holders here, like myself, can only transport from business to business,” Vargas Jaimes said. “So, if we want this market to be expandable and diverse and equitable for Black and Brown communities, we need to ensure that the license types that are available allow us to thrive.”

Meanwhile, Jordan Melendez thinks education is another way to get more people of color involved in the cannabis industry. He is the Cannabis Studies Program director coordinator at Wilbur Wright College. The school is licensed to have a cannabis curriculum.

“What these classes offer are on-demand skills by people who are in the industry,” Melendez said.

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Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel

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Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel


The No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) will attempt to extend a four-game home win streak when they take on the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-1) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at United Center. The matchup airs at 9 p.m. ET on FS1.

The Fighting Illini, who are favored by 2.5 points, are set to take on the Crimson Tide. The matchup’s over/under is set at 180.5.

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Continue scrolling to get everything you need to know ahead of betting on the Illinois-Alabama contest.

Illinois vs. Alabama How to Watch & Odds

  • When: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET
  • Where: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
  • TV: FS1
  • Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports App and FOX One (Try free for 7 days)
  • Odds: Illinois is favored to win the game. Check out the latest odds.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction

Take the Illini to take down Alabama tonight. Illinois is riding high on their 4-0 record and has shown impressive defensive prowess, limiting opponents to just 66.8 points per game. Their frontcourt, led by players like David Mirkovic, could prove to be a significant matchup advantage against Alabama.

Alabama, on the other hand, is coming off a tough loss to Purdue, where they were outrebounded by 24 and struggled from three-point range, going 16-for-43. However, they’ve shown they can score, averaging 91.3 points per game. Labaron Philon Jr. is having a standout season, averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.

  • Pick ATS: Illinois (-2.5)
  • Pick OU: Under (180.5)
  • Prediction: Illinois 86, Alabama 83

Prediction provided by FOX Sports’ Sports AI. Download the FOX Sports App for free access to Sports AI.

Illinois vs. Alabama Betting Insights

Betting Line Implied Predictions

  • Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the game is Fighting Illini 92, Crimson Tide 89.
  • The Fighting Illini have a 60.5% chance to collect the win in this matchup per the moneyline’s implied probability.
  • The Crimson Tide have a 43.9% implied probability to come out on top.

Key Spread Facts

  • Illinois won 18 games against the spread last season, while failing to cover 17 times.
  • Alabama covered 21 times in 37 games with a spread last year.
  • Illinois had an ATS record of 15-12 when playing as at least a 2.5-point favorite last season.
  • Alabama was an underdog by 2.5 points or more six times last year, and covered the spread in four of those matchups.

Key Total Facts

  • Four times last year, the Fighting Illini and their opponent combined to score more than 180.5 points.
  • Last year, 15 Crimson Tide games featured more than 180.5 points scored.
  • Last year’s combined scoring average for these two teams (174.3 points per game) is 6.2 fewer than the total for this contest.

Key Moneyline Facts

  • Illinois went 19-7 in games it was listed as the moneyline favorite last season (winning 73.1% of those games).
  • Last season, Alabama was the underdog nine times and won five of those games.
  • Illinois had a record of 19-6 in games it played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -153 or shorter last year (76%).
  • Alabama had a record of 2-3 when it was set as the underdog by +128 or more by sportsbooks last season.

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Illinois transportation crews prepare for winter weather

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Illinois transportation crews prepare for winter weather


MILAN, Ill. (KWQC) – The Illinois Department of Transportation held a “Winter Weather, Get It Together” event Tuesday as crews prepare for the upcoming winter season.

Crews want drivers to pay extra attention to crews working to clear roads during winter weather events.

“Definitely just keep in mind, slow down when you see our trucks,” Devin McNeill, Illinois DOT lead worker at the Silvis yard said. “Our drivers are doing multiple things while they’re operating the trucks so they can’t see everywhere.”

He also said drivers should be patient.

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Crews in District 2, which covers several counties in northwest Illinois, have nearly 4,100 miles of roads to plow.

Guidelines from the Illinois Department of Transportation:
  • Give yourself extra time for trips
  • Slow down and increase the distance between other vehicles
  • Prepare an emergency kits with jumper cable, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, traction material, blankets, food and a first-aid kit
  • Keep a cellphone charger in your vehcile
  • Check your battery, tires, lights, charging system and belts
  • Look out for black ice and slippery conditions, even with no snow
  • Be careful at intersections, ramps, bridges and shady areas
  • Don’t travel in bad weather unless you have to. If you do, share your route and check the forecast
  • Give plows and other equipment treating the roads space



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Illinois is MUCH better than Wisconsin. They need to play like it.

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Illinois is MUCH better than Wisconsin. They need to play like it.


On this episode of “Oskee Talk” I recap Illinois football’s victory over Maryland (2:44), highlighting Luke Altmyer’s rise in the Illini record books (8:27) and noting that the program is currently in one of its most successful stretches (17:11). I also preview Illinois’ upcoming game against Wisconsin (21:32), analyze the Badgers’ unusually poor offense (26:24), and offer a score prediction for Saturday’s matchup (31:33).

I also review men’s basketball’s win over Colgate (33:37), spotlighting David Mirkovic’s record-setting game and Keaton Wagler’s strong start (36:13). I look ahead to Wednesday’s Top-15 matchup with Alabama in Chicago (41:01). I also recap women’s basketball’s strange shooting night against Oregon State (47:43) and preview the Field Trip game against Murray State (50:15).

I end the show by recognizing Illinois women’s soccer team for its historic season (53:21).

Join the conversation! Comment below and make sure to subscribe to Oskee Talk wherever you find your podcasts!

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