Illinois Quick Hits: $50.8M in cannabis tax-funded grants awarded

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has announced $50.8 million in Restore, Reinvest and Renew grants.

The latest round of funding includes about $35 million to organizations that support community reentry from the justice system, economic development and civil legal aid, and about $15 million to organizations dedicated to youth development and violence prevention.

The R3 Program is funded by 25% of state tax revenues from adult-use cannabis sales.

CHICAGO SUES AIRBNB

Chicago officials are suing Airbnb and one of its hosts for alleged violations of the city’s shared housing ordinance and other consumer protection laws.

The complaint filed in Cook County circuit court claims that Airbnb, Airbnb Living and Slumber Stay LLC have profited from unlawful short-term rental activity while evading city laws designed to protect short-term renters, preserve residential quality of life and maintain affordable housing supply.

PUBLIC FORUM OFFERED TO ADDRESS PEOPLES GAS RATES

The Illinois Commerce Commission is offering Peoples Gas customers an opportunity to make public comments on the utility’s proposed $200 million rate increase.

The forum is scheduled for July 15 from 7-9 p.m. at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Those unable to attend may submit comments via the ICC website or by calling 1-800-524-0795.

ILLINOIS COURTS HIRE ADA COMPLIANCE COUNSEL

The Illinois Supreme Court and Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts has announced the hiring of Anna Hurst to the newly-created position of Title II ADA Compliance Attorney.

The AOIC says the job was established to strengthen accessibility and ensure compliance with federal and state disability laws across the Illinois judicial branch.

Hurst previously served as director at Walmart, Inc., where she acted as the organization’s primary compliance subject matter expert on federal, state, and local healthcare accessibility laws.