* Heh…

Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) got up and screamed at Matt Gaetz as he tore into McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/JBlzvnHPIE

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 6, 2023

He’s actually mellowed quite a bit.

* Meanwhile…

Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) switched her vote to Kevin McCarthy for House Speaker in the 12th and 13th rounds of votes today.https://t.co/4YrTmkrWjV

— Illinois Newsroom (@ILNewsroom) January 6, 2023

Basically, they cut a deal which could lead to another debt ceiling crisis.

…Adding… Keeping the door open for 2024?…

Hey @RepBost, why don’t you fight this hard for conservatives in Illinois rather than your buddy Kev? https://t.co/vmk3xuoTjy

— Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) January 6, 2023

* Pretty decent growth. Imagine how much better it would be without the massive retail markups…

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced today that 2022 set adult use cannabis sales records in all categories it tracks. This includes number of items sold, sales totals to Illinois and out-of-state residents, and sales total by month. For the year, Illinois adult use cannabis dispensaries sold $1,552,324,820.37 worth of product, an increase of more than 12% from 2021 and 131% from 2020, the first year cannabis sales were first legally allowed in Illinois. There are currently 113 adult use cannabis dispensaries in Illinois, including the first three social equity dispensaries that opened their doors in 2022. These figures do not include taxes collected, which are reported by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

“When I signed the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act into law in 2019, we set out on an ambitious goal: to create the most equitable and economically prosperous cannabis industry in the nation. Our data from 2022 shows that we are well on our way towards making that idea a reality,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Not only did we break our previous sales record by more than 12% with a total of more than $1.5 billion, we also saw the first of our social equity adult use cannabis dispensaries open their doors for business—paving the way for an even stronger 2023.”

“This marks the second straight year that Illinois’ adult use cannabis industry has seen record-setting growth, and we are excited for what the future holds for the most equitable cannabis industry in the country,” said Mario Treto, Jr., Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. “We are optimistic the industry will only continue to flourish in 2023, as we welcome more dispensaries to Illinois.”

Statistics compiled by IDFPR show 2021’s sales totals were all exceeded in November 2022. In total, 36,435,129 items were sold in Illinois adult use cannabis dispensaries in 2022, an increase of 20% from 2021. In addition, Illinois resident sales totaled $1,073,132,436.48 (an increase of almost 14% from 2021), while sales to out-of-state residents totaled $479,192,383.91 (an increase of almost 10% from 2021). IDFPR’s complete adult use cannabis monthly sales tracker may be found online here.

In addition to three social equity adult use cannabis dispensaries that opened their doors in 2022, 189 other conditional licensees are in the process of receiving their full dispensary license from IDFPR. Dispensaries may begin adult use cannabis sales once they receive their full license from IDFPR. The Department also announced in December 2022 that applications for the next round of cannabis dispensary licenses will be accepted starting January 30, 2023. Additional information for prospective applicants (including a mock application, proposed timeline, and social equity criteria applicants will need to meet to receive a license) may be found on IDFPR’s Adult Use Cannabis Program webpage under the “Information for social Equity Criteria Lottery” section.

More dispensaries should force those price margins down.

* Press release…

The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is proud to announce the appointment of national nonprofit leader Bernard Cherkasov as the Museum’s Chief Executive Officer.

Cherkasov joins the Museum during an incredible moment in its history. In 2022, the Museum saw record-high attendance and gained international attention for its groundbreaking virtual reality exhibition, leadership combating antisemitism, and speaking out for justice.

“It is always incredible to find a leader who can meet the moment,” said Jordan Lamm, Chair of the Museum’s Board. “Bernard has had a profound impact on the fabric of the local, state, and national community. He committed himself with compassion and tenacity to the advancement of human and civil rights and worked tirelessly for equity and justice. Bernard’s personal connection to our work and his years of leadership make him a perfect fit for the Museum’s mission and legacy.”

When he was 13 years old, Cherkasov and his family fled antisemitism and ethnic violence in his native Azerbaijan and came to the United States as refugees. His worldview was shaped by the courage and conviction of those who took risks to help his family and refugees like them.

* Isabel’s roundup…

* WPSD | Catalytic converter stolen off Illinois school bus, deputies offering reward for tip: A catalytic convertor was cut off of a Pope County school bus on Dec. 22, Sheriff Jerry Suits says, causing damage in excess of $3,200. In a Friday release about the incident, Suits says catalytic converter thefts are a “constant issue” in the region.

* Daily Herald | Lake County top prosecutor lobbies state legislators to pass assault weapon ban : Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart added his voice Thursday to those urging state legislators to pass a ban on so-called assault weapons before the legislative session ends next week.

* House Resolution 1046: WHEREAS, Leader Harris maintains a wide variety of interests outside the General Assembly, including an abiding appreciation of bacon, watching little-seen science fiction movies, maintaining a unique collection of socks, raising awareness of days of recognition and celebration on social media, and acting as a human companion to Tip the Cat.

* Press release | Senate approves Feigenholtz measure to create tourism preservation and sustainability regions: “This bill creates a lifeline for destination development activities – ensuring that tourism and hospitality operations in every corner of Illinois can count on a sustainable, business-led local fund to help them promote the world-class attractions we have to offer,” Feigenholtz said.

* Press release | Cunningham passes new law to help veterans: House Bill 5542 makes several changes to the Illinois Joining Forces network at their request. The bill removes the executive board, which allows the foundation to add an additional 18 members, nine of which can be appointed by the foundation themselves, to assist with fundraising.

* WTTW | From Driver’s Licenses to Police Body Cams, the SAFE-T Act Contains Much More Than Cash Bail Changes: Illinois drivers are no longer getting stripped of their licenses because they didn’t pay speeding tickets or other traffic violations, and anyone whose license was suspended should have it long back by now.

* WBEZ | Is a longstanding Chicago political tradition on its way out?: Just 113 objections were filed against candidates’ nominating petitions for the 2023 municipal elections. That’s the lowest number of objections for a municipal election since 1983, when 105 objections were filed, according to a WBEZ analysis of historical objection cases heard by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

* Sun-Times | City Hall went after Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. for owning a drug house in West Garfield Park: Within months after Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office, the police twice raided a two-flat owned by Burnett and his wife Darlena Williams-Burnett and accused them in a lawsuit of owning a “public nuisance” where drugs were sold.

* The Crusader | Blacks blast Lightfoot’s plan to house migrants on South Side: In news reports, Alderman Taylor said she was “blindsided” by the decision. She told radio station WVON’S Perri Small she knew nothing about the renovations or the plan to house migrants at the shuttered school. Lightfoot herself did not attend the community meeting, fueling disappointment and disgust among Woodlawn residents, including homeowners.

* Sun-Times | Asphalt plants ordered to cut pollution for Chicago city contracts: The move follows a decision last June to reject all bids for $500 million in asphalt contracts after concerns about air pollution. Private companies supply city crews that fill potholes and repair streets.

* WBEZ | Chicago’s confrontational police union boss is facing a tough reelection challenger: A formidable candidate is trying to unseat John Catanzara as head of the union for Chicago’s 10,000 rank-and-file cops. But officers of color, women and political moderates in CPD may find Det. Robert Bartlett similar to the incumbent. Both are white men in a union long run by white men. Both have spoken highly of Donald Trump and both have opposed efforts to toughen police oversight.

* Chalkbeat | Chicago Public Schools’ watchdog flags unchecked overtime pay, lost students, sexual misconduct : Inspector General Will Fletcher said his office received 1,825 complaints and opened investigations into 725 — or about 40% — of them. Hundreds were allegations of sexual misconduct taken up by a special unit of investigators created in 2018, which also is investigating complaints received in previous years.

* Daily Southtown | Area teachers join statewide effort to address racism in schools: The act would classify instances of racial harassment as civil rights violations for officials and institutions that don’t work to stop them. Schools would need to adopt and display a policy, as well as train employees and distribute it to everyone involved. The proposed bill is online at www.racismfreeschools.org.

* Tribune | Illinois ranks 2nd behind Alaska for wintering bald eagles, and festival season is underway: The state’s abundance of eagles is on proud display this month, as communities host eagle festivals large and small. One of the closest festivals for Chicagoans, the Will County forest preserves’ Eagle Watch on Jan. 14 in Channahon, will feature a good chance to see a nesting pair that likes to perch just across the Des Plaines River from the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.

* Pantagraph | Illinois State women finish strong for MVC win over Missouri State: Paige Robinson made a successful return to the Ozarks and Illinois State’s Kristen Gillespie secured her 200th win as a head coach Thursday as the Redbirds rallied for a 67-63 Missouri Valley Conference victory over Missouri State at Great Southern Bank Arena.

* Evanston Review | Some Evanston City Council members hope to attract dispensaries with cannabis lounges: Councilmember Eleanor Revelle has already gone on the record to call the referral, sponsored by Councilmember Devon Reid, a “mistake,” citing concerns brought forth by Evanston Health Advisory Council Chair Donald Ziegler. Ziegler said he opposes cannabis lounges due to secondhand smoke and said it should be banned wherever tobacco consumption is illegal.

* WROK | World’s Largest Guitar Is Coming Home To Illinois : The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois is set to receive the largest hand-made guitar sculpture ever created. The artwork, named GIGANTAR, will begin its journey to the museum on January 14th, starting with a launch party at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. GIGANTAR will then travel across five states on an open flat-bed truck, making stops at prestigious and historical sites along the way. The sculpture will arrive in Joliet on January 16th.