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Police investigate Peoria Planned Parenthood fire as arson

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Police investigate Peoria Planned Parenthood fire as arson


CHICAGO — A fireplace at a central Illinois Deliberate Parenthood clinic is being investigated as arson, Peoria police stated Tuesday, simply days after the state enacted sweeping abortion protections.

Officers responded to a report of an “unknown particular person throwing a Molotov cocktail” into the Peoria clinic constructing at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, police spokesperson Semone Roth stated.

Peoria police and fireplace officers are investigating the blaze, and no suspects have been recognized or arrests made, Roth stated.

The incident occurred two days after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into legislation reproductive well being care laws to guard out-of-state abortion seekers, including Illinois to the listing of states which have positioned authorized reinforcements across the process after the U.S. Supreme Courtroom’s resolution to overturn Roe v. Wade.

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No sufferers or workers have been inside throughout the fireplace, however it precipitated “important harm” to the constructing, stated Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Deliberate Parenthood of Illinois in a press release.

The clinic is at the moment closed, and the group is rescheduling sufferers who had appointments to different well being care facilities, and providing transportation help to those that want it.

The Peoria Deliberate Parenthood location provided treatment abortion however was not a website for in-clinic procedures, stated Welch, who pledged to prosecute the perpetrator “to the fullest extent of the legislation.”

“The overwhelming majority of our Peoria Well being Middle sufferers have been coming to us for household planning, STI testing and therapy and different reproductive well being care,” she stated. “This act of vandalism could have a devastating influence on the neighborhood’s capability to entry contraception, most cancers screenings and gender-affirming care.”

Anti-abortion group Illinois Proper to Life govt director Mary Kate Zander condemned the incident, saying: “We’d by no means condone violence in opposition to any Deliberate Parenthood or some other abortion clinic.” She added: “The first cause that we stand in opposition to abortion is that it is an act of violence. So it could be hypocritical of us to not say the identical within the case of an act of violence in opposition to abortion employees.” ___

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Savage is a corps member for the Related Press/Report for America Statehouse Information Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit nationwide service program that locations journalists in native newsrooms to report on undercovered points.

Copyright © 2023 by The Related Press. All Rights Reserved.



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Timeless Enters Illinois Cannabis Market

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Timeless Enters Illinois Cannabis Market


Timeless will launch in Illinois with six strains from its signature “Choose Your Mood” collection, “Energy” (Sativa), “Chill” (Hybrid), and “Rest” (Indica), as well as its NOIR Live Resin Terpenes and Timeless All-In-One vaporizers, all uniquely designed to suit the specific needs of each consumer. In addition, Timeless will debut an exclusive ‘Greetings From Illinois’ flip case and battery, a limited-edition combo featuring cultural references unique to Illinois. Team Timeless will be taking over retail partner locations throughout July to educate consumers on Timeless products, strains and their effects, as well as offering special promotions, doorbusters and food from local vendors.

“We are thrilled to begin the next chapter of our journey in the midwest in Illinois,” said Timeless Founder Rocky Huang. “Having previously launched in Missouri and Ohio, we know first-hand how incredible the midwestern cannabis market is and introducing our high-quality products to Illinois marks an exciting next step to further increase our presence in this region. By blending the state’s rich culture with our commitment to community, we hope to build long-lasting relationships with adult-use consumers.”

Timeless products will be available with activations at select Curaleaf locations starting Wednesday July 3rd, followed by Zen Leaf on the 4th, and continuing with OKAY, Trinity, Bud & Rita’s, Be, Windy City, and Ivy Hall dispensaries in the weeks to come. In addition, new locations carrying Timeless later in the month will include The Cannabist, Ayr Wellness, Consume, RISE, Mission, and nuEra.

To learn more about where and when to find Timeless in Illinois this summer and the schedule for Timeless Takeovers at dispensaries, please visit the Timeless Illinois Launch Webpage. For more information on the Timeless brands, collaborations, and product availability, please visit https://www.timelessvapes.com.

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About Timeless:
Timeless was founded in 2011 with the vision of creating a leading lifestyle brand around high-quality cannabis products and unique engagement through the pillars of “Community, Culture, and Legacy.” Timeless began making cannabis products in 2013 and is celebrating their 11th anniversary. Their passion for innovation, unique brand building, and customer engagement has led Timeless to be a leading national House of Brands in the industry. Today, Timeless operates in Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Ohio, Missouri, New Jersey, and now Illinois, and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. To learn more about Timeless please visit: https://www.timelessvapes.com.

SOURCE Timeless Refinery



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Restrictions on face masks proposed around country, but ACLU of Illinois has concerns

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Restrictions on face masks proposed around country, but ACLU of Illinois has concerns


CHICAGO (CBS) — Just four years ago, a mask requirement for indoor spaces was issued in Illinois at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and masks were still required on the Chicago Transit Authority and other mass transit as recently as the spring of 2022.

But now, there is a growing movement of lawmakers and communities who want to ban masks. Civil liberties advocates have some major concerns about that idea.

In surveillance videos of crimes being committed, the perpetrators are often wearing masks over their noses and mouths. In many cases, the coverings help hide the faces and identities of those responsible.

“They’re not wearing those masks to protect themselves from COVID,” said Ald. Ray Lopez (15th). “They are doing it for a very intentional reason.”

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For anyone caught committing a crime while wearing a mask, Lopez is proposing an enhanced penalty on top of any sentence a judge hands down.

“I’m not trying to ban wearing masks in the city of Chicago,” Lopez said, “but only trying to specifically target those individuals who are intentionally trying to conceal their identities while breaking the law.”

In northwest suburban Lake in the Hills, face coverings will not be allowed at the Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest unless for medical or health purposes. Organizers singled out decorative masks—such as skeleton, ski, or character masks.

This comes after fights broke out at a festival earlier this spring in Lake in the Hills. 

Lake in the Hills police said in part, “[W]e can’t ignore that we are seeing a trend locally and nationally of individuals with ill intent using face coverings to hide or disguise their identities.”

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But the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois has expressed concerns.

“I think one of the things we are concerned about is the broadness and breadth of a lot of these sorts of bans,” said Edwin Yohnka, director of communications and public policy for ACLU Illinois.

Masks have also been used to conceal people’s faces during protests—including at the pro-Palestinian protest encampments at universities around the area and the country this past spring, and other events—notably including a protest that happened at 2:30 a.m. this past Saturday outside the home of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Illinois) in Highland Park and left many neighbors alarmed and on edge.

After concerns about people shielding their faces while committing antisemitic acts, New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul is considering a mask ban on public transit.

“We’re talking about people who use facial coverings to cover up their identity,” Hochul said.

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Yohnka said similar bans could unlawfully target people’s right to protest anonymously.

“What we’re seeing—I think largely in response to, you know, recent protests—are a sense that, you know, people should not be able to be masked in public for any reason,” Yohnka said. “We’ve never required that someone to identify themselves to speak. These laws suggest that people must be uncovered.”

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Northern Illinois Food Bank helps out Rockford families with free meals for children

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Northern Illinois Food Bank helps out Rockford families with free meals for children


ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The Northern Illinois Food Bank partners with the Rockford Park District and other organizations to give away free meals to local children.

The food bank is giving away 7,000 meals a day to local children between breakfast and lunch. All kids need to do is show up and eat on-site, no identification is necessary.

“The Northern Illinois Food Bank’s objective is to make sure we’re fighting food insecurity. And we know food insecurity starts from the ground level up, so childhood hunger is an issue that is very near and dear to our hearts and so we want to make sure that we’re addressing that food insecurity,” said Northern Illinois Food Bank Senior Manager Melinda Craigs-Ingram.

Kids can also spend time after their meal hanging out at the camp hosted by Rockford Park District. Donna Henderson, the Director of the Lewis Lemon Elementary School site, wants kids to know this isn’t summer school even if there is some learning involved.

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“We keep them busy, and we keep their minds busy and learning. We do art, reading, they have a game room, we do recess, and Friday we do movies,” said Henderson.

To find a full list of sites, text “Food” or “Comida” to 304304, visit, www.solvehungertoday.org/child-nutrition-programs, or call (800) 359-2163.



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