(SPRINGFIELD) Last week, a software company revealed that it was working with the entertainment chain Dave & Busters to allow customers to place bets on their arcade games through the company’s app. Now in response to the news, lawmakers in several states, including Illinois, are working to ban the practice before it begins. A bill in the Illinois General Assembly would prohibit any wagering on amusement games by any company.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation has issued 35 additional cannabis depensing licenses to applicants from the Social Equity Criteria Lottery. These recipients issued the conditional licenses will not have 365 days to build their dispensary and receive final approval for their license. Dispensaries may only begin adult use of cannabis sales once they receive their full license from the State of Illinois.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois is now the 20th state to discover the Asian Longhorned Tick. Considered to be an invasive species, the tick was found last month (4/12/24) during a routine active tick surveillance in central Illinois’ Morgan County, part of an IDPH grant-funded surveillance program. While the Asian Longhorned Tick was first introduced to America in 2017, this is the first know collection of this species from anywhere in Illinois. This type of tick is capable of carrying tick borne diseases that especially affect cattle.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is raising awareness about the seriousness of the crime of arson during this Arson Awareness Week in the Land of Lincoln. This year’s theme is “Protecting Houses of Worship Against Arson.” According to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year from 2020 to 2022, an estimated average of 1,300 fires in places of worship were reported to fire departments in America. These fires resulted in an estimated annual average of over $74 million in property loss throughout Illinois.