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A group of seven independent marijuana social equity transporters in Illinois filed a civil rights complaint against the state’s Department of Agriculture alleging that the office discriminated against them when it issued licenses to medical cannabis cultivation centers.

In a complaint filed in the 7th Judicial Circuit Court of Sangamon County – independent transporter licensees who don’t old other cannabis business license types – say they were supposed to be prioritized when Illinois launched its adult-use marijuana program in 2020 with the goal of creating diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry, said Amber Lengacher, founder and CEO of Colorado-based Purple Circle and a consultant who has been working with the plaintiffs on a pro bono basis.

But the Illinois Department of Agriculture issued licenses to established MMJ businesses that controlled at least 95% of the state’s $1.5 billion adult-use market in fiscal year 2023, Lengacher said.

By issuing transporter licenses to the established businesses, the Illinois agriculture department eliminated any reason those companies had to use third-party transporters.

* Background is here. Southwest Regional News…

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has called on the Village of Orland Park to address its financial reporting delays. […]

The village has yet to submit its 2022 and 2023 audits. Pekau attributed the delays to changes in auditors and finance directors. […]

Pekau described the village’s audit as “clean” and accused Mendoza of selectively targeting Orland Park while many other governments remain delinquent in their reporting.

“Over 200 municipalities have not completed their 2023 audit, yet she decides to single out Orland Park to damage our residents. These actions are capricious and unacceptable,” Pekau said.

*** Statehouse News ***

* The Hill |Illinois governor on Trump win: ‘You come for my people, you come through me: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) held a press conference Thursday to discuss the aftermath of the election, issuing a warning that if anyone tries to “come for my people,” they will have to “come through me.” “People have often said that I’m a happy warrior, and I’ve always taken seriously my role as a happy warrior on behalf of this state. Even today, when I’m struggling with many of the difficult questions this election poses, my optimism for the future remains undiminished,” Pritzker said.

* WJBC | Gov. Pritzker declines to discuss future political plans after Presidential election: As Gov. JB Pritzker and other Democrats try to figure out what went wrong Election Day, he is trying to reassure Illinoisans who depend on his policies. “Casting a vote is making a wish for the future,” the governor said in Chicago Thursday, not hiding his surprise nor disappointment at Donald Trump’s victory. “Sometimes you live to see that wish fulfilled, and sometimes you must accept that your vote is a down payment on a house that you may wait a long time to finally live in.”

*** Chicago ***

* Crain’s |Terry Duffy’s contract extended at CME Group through 2026:CME also said Chief Operating Officer Julie Holzrichter was stepping down to serve as an adviser to the company. Suzanne Sprague will succeed Holzrichter as COO and retain her role as global head of clearing. “We are very fortunate to have built such a strong, capable management team that will ensure a seamless transition as our company continues to move forward,” Duffy said in a statement.

* Sun-Times | Comcast credits for defunct NBC Sports Chicago could be good sign for Chicago Sports Network:No, the new home of the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks won’t appear where the defunct NBC Sports Chicago did on Xfinity systems just yet. But monthly credits are coming! “We are automatically applying a monthly credit to customers’ Regional Sports Network [RSN] fees because NBC Sports Chicago is no longer available,” a Comcast spokesperson said. “Customers are receiving emails and bill messages to inform them that no action is needed to get this credit.”

* Block Club | Jewish Students Punched, Pushed At DePaul In Possible Hate Crime, School Says:The two were injured but declined treatment, police said. They had been “visibly showing their support for Israel,” according to a letter from DePaul University President Robert L. Manuel. The attackers ran north afterward, officials said. One wore a white T-shirt with khaki pants, and the other wore a black hooded jacket and black pants. Both wore black masks.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Herald |Buffalo Grove pulling out of 20-year-old boundary agreement with Lincolnshire:When Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire came to terms on a boundary agreement in 2005, they settled future territorial disputes over undeveloped land. Now Buffalo Grove officials say the agreement has served its purpose. The village board voted Monday to send notice to Lincolnshire allowing the agreement, which was set to expire this year, to terminate.

* Tribune | Glencoe voters approve home rule; Kenilworth, Northfield reject measure:Glencoe voters have said yes to two separate referendum questions in the Nov. 5 election, while Kenilworth and Northfield residents did not approve measures regarding their communities, according to unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk’s office. In Glencoe, nearly 63% of voters approved a switch to a home rule form of government, according to unofficial results. Any Illinois community with a population greater than 25,000 automatically receives home rule status. Communities such as Glencoe with population lower than 25,000 must ask residents for permission to adopt it.

* Daily Herald | Parents back Bartlett principal who was placed on leave:Parents at Centennial Elementary School in Bartlett are urging Elgin Area Unit District 46 school board members to bring their principal back. Last month, Matthew Palcer was placed on administrative leave, effective Oct. 28. In a brief statement last month, U-46 officials said Bill Doran, a retired principal from Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300, would provide “additional support at Centennial until further notice.” District officials have not indicated why Palcer, who has been the principal for more than three years, was placed on leave or how long he will remain on leave.

*** Downstate ***

* WCIA | Four Central IL school referendums fail to pass in election:Four school referendums, Champaign County safety tax, and the tax levy for the Strides Shelter all failed. One thing these all had in common — besides one school proposal — is they would have increased taxes. It seems voters were feeling the economic strain, and it shaped the way they cast their ballot.

* WCIA | Springfield signs off on new coal supplier for power plan:At its meeting Tuesday night, Springfield City Council approved a contract with Foresight Coal Sales for $86,625,000. The contract will be set for four years.The coal will come from the company’s mine in Hillsboro. There will be a different contract written for the costs of hauling coal from Hillsboro to Springfield.

* Havest Public Media |Welcome to Morton, Illinois — the bite-sized town that produces a whole lot of canned pumpkin:On a cool and breezy fall morning, John Ackerman surveys a pumpkin field dotted by various shades of orange, white and yellow. He’s checking to see which are ready for picking. While the growing season started out a little too wet, it’s going to be a good harvest. “Normally, pumpkins like it relatively dry,” Ackerman said. “I’ve been amazed at how great this year was for pumpkins.”

*** National ***

* AP | CDC calls for expanded testing for bird flu after blood tests reveal more farmworker infections: Farmworkers in close contact with infected animals should be tested and offered treatment even if they show no symptoms, said Dr. Nirav Shah, principal director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new guidance comes after blood tests for 115 farmworkers in Michigan and Colorado showed that eight workers — or 7% — had antibodies that indicated previous infection with the virus known as Type A H5N1 influenza.

posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 2:40 pm

Comments

Residents in Orland Park seem to like Pekau (since he gets re-elected). It seems like they can do better. Not sure why the Democrats in the area (Hastings, O’Grady, McLaughlin) don’t get together to put up a strong candidate to challenge Pekau.

Comment by Retired SEIU Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 3:04 pm
The MJ Transporter case is (imho) a good illustration of why the gop has been able to peel away folks from the dems.

The social equity aspect of it was a huge part of the legislation and was touted highly. (rightfully so). Yet when it came time to implement the program, the overwhelming majority of revenues goes to the top handful of companies.

And pot is way more expensive in this state than any other state I have traveled to.

The dems totally dropped the ball on ensuring that the enormous profits generated by this new market was “equitably distributed”.

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 4:30 pm
===a good illustration of why===

In times like these, people tend to point to their own pet peeves as reasons why someone lost. The price of weed and the equitable distribution of weed profits is highly unlikely to be any sort of a factor.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 4:49 pm
@Rich

I’m wondering how Pritzker’s popularity compares with other State and National pols. I was out walking the dog today and made a comment that I pretty much hate all politicians nowadays, except JB. Wonder if the JB love is an outlier or a trend…

Comment by Old IL Dude Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 4:50 pm
I agree with Henry (sorry Rich). I think Henry’s point is that Dems talk big about, and I believe truly intend in many cases, to lift marginalized folks up, open more doors for good jobs, etc. When those programs are poorly run, or just don’t produce any benefit for that marginalized population, then at some point, those people are going to stop voting for those programs and the Dems that push them. Good intentions only go so far.

Comment by Mike Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 5:25 pm
Thanks Mike for explaining it better.

This was such low hanging fruit for them to deliver big on. That is my pet peeve - not delivering on the low hanging fruit.

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 6:20 pm
So here we stand able to use and openly discuss cannabis. Sometimes you’ve just gotta be thankful for what you got. And yes, of course we can do better, and I like to believe we will.

Comment by Big Tom Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 6:42 pm
@Henry Francis- I can’t speak to the social equity side of the equation but I can speak to prices a little. One of the biggest reasons that Illinois pot is so expensive is that there are still relatively few dispensaries. The number is growing and I am willing to bet that prices will come down as the numbers grow. Michigan over built and that drive prices way down. That was good for the consumer. I think the Illinois approach was more market stable.

With respect.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 7:05 pm