Illinois

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

Published

2 hours ago

September 15, 2024

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.

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

Politics: Chesney provides update from northwest Illinois

Published

10 hours ago

September 15, 2024

Press Room

Politics: Chesney provides update from northwest Illinois

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Illinois

Pat Bryant scores twice, Ethan Moczulski kicks school-record FG in Illinois' victory

Published

18 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Press Room

Pat Bryant scores twice, Ethan Moczulski kicks school-record FG in Illinois' victory

CHAMPAIGN — Luke Altmyer threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, both to Pat Bryant, to lead Illinois to a 30-9 win over Central Michigan on Saturday.

Bryant had seven catches for 102 yards and Zakhari Franklin caught five passes for 66 yards.

Josh McCray ran for 54 yards on eight carries and Ca’Lil Valentine had 53 yards on five rushes for the Illini (3-0), who have won three straight games to start the season for the first time since 2011.

Texas A&M transfer Ethan Moczulski kicked a school-record 59-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to give the Illini a 13-6 lead.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema said the win wasn’t pretty despite the lopsided score.

“I could almost feel it coming after we beat (then-No. 19 Kansas) last week and had to flip the page and get ready for Central Michigan,” he said. “We had our work cut out for us and we made it more difficult than it needed to be.”

Altmyer and Bryant hooked up on a 20-yard TD pass to begin the second half. Bryant wriggled free from four would-be Central Michigan tacklers on his way to the end zone.

Bryant was wide open in the end zone when Altmyer hit him with an 11-yard TD pass in the first quarter.

“Luke and I did lot a work over the summer so when we get to the field for a game, things come easily for us,” Bryant said.

David Alano, the other half of Illinois’ placekicking tandem along with Moczulski, made a 49-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 34-yarder in the third.

“Ethan (Moczulski) has made a 61-yarder in practice. He has an extremely explosive leg,” Bielema said. “He and David are a pretty good 1-2 punch for us in the kicking game.”

Tristan Mattson kicked 32- and 29-yard field goals in the first half and a 25-yarder in the fourth for Central Michigan (1-2). The first field goal came after a 9-yard TD run by Marion Lukes was called back because of a holding penalty.

Central Michigan QB Joe Labas was 12 of 25 for 125 yards.

Chippewas coach Jim McElwain said his team was facing a long bus ride home to think about the game.

“First drive of the first half, first drive of the second half, Illinois marches right down the field and scores,” he said. “That’s unacceptable. Can’t do that.

“Offensively, we’ve got to score touchdowns when we’re in the red zone. Illinois has a good defense. The numbers show it. Give them credit. But we’ve got to put it in the end zone when we’re down there.”

The takeaway

Illinois: After Illinois’ victory over Kansas lost some of its luster Friday when the Jayhawks were upset 23-20 at home by UNLV, the Illini struggled at times against Central Michigan and had 10 penalties for 81 yards. That can’t happen when Illinois hits the road the next two weeks to play Nebraska and No. 8 Penn State.

Central Michigan: Six turnovers were the Chippewas’ undoing in a lopsided loss last week to Florida International. Of the 52 points Central Michigan allowed, 39 came off turnovers. The Chippewas had just one turnover against Illinois, the third interception of the season by reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Xavier Scott, and it didn’t lead to any points. That’s the biggest positive Central Michigan can take from the game.

Up next

Illinois: At Nebraska on Friday night.

Central Michigan: Hosts Ball State on Saturday.

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Illinois

Jan Brueghel denies stablemate Illinois in thrilling St Leger battle for O’Brien

Published

1 day ago

September 14, 2024

Press Room

Jan Brueghel denies stablemate Illinois in thrilling St Leger battle for O’Brien

Jan Brueghel, the 11-4 joint-favourite, got up in the final strides after a prolonged struggle with his stable companion, Illinois, to give Aidan O’Brien an eighth success in the St Leger on Saturday, and jockey Sean Levey his second win in a British Classic.

Both the winner and runner-up were from the final full crop of foals sired by the outstanding stallion Galileo, who died in 2021, and Jan Brueghel, who remains unbeaten after four starts, could well go into the history books as the great sire’s 21st and final British Classic winner.

“We knew the track and trip would suit him,” Levey said afterwards, “and I think he showed that he’s exceptional going that extra distance. He feels like a [Ascot] Gold Cup horse in the making and I wouldn’t be surprised if he stepped up a bit more next year.”

At Leopardstown, William Haggas’s Economics, the 7-4 favourite, found a brave second effort to edge past his main market rival, Auguste Rodin, and claim a first success in Group One company in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Quick Guide

Greg Wood’s Sunday tips

Show

Bath 1.57 Galactic Glow 2.32 Bracklesham Bay 3.07 Trafalger 3.40 Masterdream 4.20 Treacherous 4.55 Wedgewood 5.30 Vellner

Doncaster 2.05 Good Earth 2.40 Thunder Blue 3.15 Fair Angellica (nb) 3.45 Ten Commitments 4.15 King’s Lynn 4.50 Bowood 5.25 Aramram

Musselburgh 2.10 Oceanic Wonder 2.45 All About Neve 3.22 Aye Up Lass 3.55 Dain Ma Nut In 4.30 Spring Is Sprung (nap) 5.05 Laudable 5.35 Space Ninja

Economics appeared to be headed by Auguste Rodin as Ryan Moore brought the 9-4 chance with a strong run on the outside, but then found more for Tom Marquand to open up a narrow but ultimately decisive lead. He was a neck in front at the line, with the Japanese challenger Shin Emperor another three-quarters of a length away in third.

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