Joliet 6-5-19

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#jolietbugle

EVENTS

Calendar Events Upcoming events in your area SEE PAGE 4

SPORTS

Teaser Goes Here Text for the teaser goes right here SEE PAGE 5

BUSINESS Dave Says If you can’t afford a 15year mortgage…

SEE PAGE 7

JOLIETBUGLE.COM

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

CITY NEWS

Two dead after officer-involved shooting This is the second fatal shooting involving Joliet police this year

BY BRIAN STANLEY Bugle Staff @BugleNewspapers bstanley@buglenewspapers.com

Two people are dead after a domestic dispute turned into an armed confrontation with Joliet Police on May 27.

At 4:10 a.m. a witness in the 1200 block of Justice Lake Drive called 911 to report a physical fight between Nakia Smith, 44, and Kimiki Truss, 43, according to reports. Officers arrived to find the couple’s residence on fire.

“Entry was made into the resi-

dence, and officers were confronted with a hostage situation,” Will County Sheriff Deputy Chief Dan Jungles said in a statement. “The offender was armed with a handgun, and officers were fired upon by the offender.”

Smith was then shot by Joliet officers and later pronounced dead at the scene. Truss was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, but died from her injuries at 5:03 a.m.,

according to the Will County Coroner’s office. Both the victim and alleged gunman sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Three officers were transported to the hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries, Jungles said.

Because this is an officer-involved shooting, an outside agency such as the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force, must conduct the investigation for the Joliet Police.

This is the second fatal shooting involving Joliet police this year.

On Feb. 6, Bruce Carter Jr. died after jumping at Det. Aaron Bandy with a boxcutter at Carter’s house in the 200 block of South Des Plaines Street. An investigation by the task force and Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow determined Bandy was justified in using deadly force against Carter, who had robbed a Joliet bank hours earlier.

CITY NEWS

Preservation Award Winners announced City of Joliet 2019 Historic Preservation Award winners announced In recognition of May as Historic Preservation Month, the City of Joliet bestowed four area homes with Historic Preservation Awards at the May 21, 2019 City Council Meetings.

The Joliet Historic Preservation Commission sponsors this

Workforce Center of Will County to host weekly job fair June 6 JOLIET – The Workforce Center of Will County will host its weekly job fair from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 6, at the Workforce Center of Will County. Among the positions available flex officers, security

annual award program, which recognizes properties that have undergone recent exterior and/ or interior preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, adaptive use, or sympathetic additions, as well as people who exhibit dedication to the field of his-

officers, forklift operators, machine operators, material handler, picker/packer, customer service representative, HVAC service/installation technician, maintenance technician, production manager, quality assurance technician, order selector, production line worker.

Also, on-call nanny, tutors, independent living coach, job coach, program specialist,

toric preservation.

The 2019 Historic Preservation Award winners are: • The Old Joliet Prison Preservation Coalition for their dedication in preserving, stabilizing, promoting, and revitalizing the old Joliet Prison.

• the Old Joliet Prison Burnt District Artists for their dedication in rein-

team leader, school bus assistant, school bus driver, general laborer/cleaner, packaging machine operator, and packer.

WCWC Manager Susan Flessner said the events allow job seekers to meet with several employers at once.

“Someone looking for a job can make many contacts in one day and employers are able to interview people on the spot,” she said.

The weekly events are held at the Workforce Center of Will County, 2400 Glenwood Ave., Suite 100. The day and times vary.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh encourages

•

terpreting prison history through their multi-faceted and creative adaptive reuse of garbage, debris and/or salvage located at the abandoned prison.

708 Western Avenue for the exterior preservation work on the 1888 Queen Anne style home, which had sat vacant for over

job seekers to be prepared to take advantage of the weekly events.

“The Workforce Center of Will County is the place to go to find a job,” he said. “Susan Flessner and her staff work hard to organize these weekly job fairs that bring multiple employers to one location at one time.”

For additional information about the Workforce Center of Will County, go to www.will. works.

Will County MAPP Local Public

•

fifteen years.

513 Western Avenue for the exterior preservation work on the 1896 Queen Anne style home.

For more information, please contact Jayne M. Bernhard, Staff Liaison to the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission (815) 724-4052 or email jbernhard@jolietcity.org.

Health System Assessment The Will County Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) Collaborative conducts routine health assessments of the Will County community to identify priority health issues and strategies to address these health issues. The Collaborative uses the MAPP process to conduct community assessments every 3 years, and is currently in the community assessment phase. There are four assessments that are included in the MAPP process.

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NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

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VILLAGE NEWS

Village board meeting goes to the dogs Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow formally presented K9 Rookie to board

BY BRIAN STANLEY Bugle Staff @BugleNewspapers bstanley@buglenewspapers.com

Shorewood’s most recent village board meeting went to the dogs.

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow presented “Rookie” to formally meet Mayor Rick Chapman and trustees May 28.

The state’s attorney’s office used seized drug money to purchase the canine for the Shorewood Police Department. Rookie has been on patrol with Officer John Coldwater for a little more than a year.

“I’ve used drug forfeiture money for lots of different projects (to benefit the community). Dogs like Rookie have to deal with the bad guys,” Glasgow said. “Don’t tell the other dogs, but that is probably the most handsome dog I’ve

“I’ve used drug forfeiture money for lots of different projects (to benefit the community). Dogs like Rookie have to deal with the bad guys. Don’t tell the other dogs, but that is probably the most handsome dog I’ve seen.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILL COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEYS OFFICE

-WILL COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY JAMES GLASGOW

seen.”

The state’s attorney’s office has funded canine units for a halfdozen Will County police departments.

“We wouldn’t have Rookie if (Glasgow) wasn’t the catalyst for the donation,” Chief Aaron Klima said.

Rookie is a German ShortHaired Pointer who will turn 3 on July 20. He was born in Slovakia

and trained in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania as a 1-year-old.

Rookie is trained to detect several different kinds of narcotics and is certified to track people from dropped clothing or articles

they were carrying.

Glasgow told the village board another function Rookie has is regularly inspecting schools or other youth facilities for drugs.

“The purpose is not to make an

arrest of the juveniles but to intervene if there’s a problem,” he said.

Chapman said Rookie was among his favorite guests to attend a board meeting and was welcome anytime.

CITY NEWS

NHRA racers help raise money for CAC Racers, broacasters and Slammers join city employees for fundraiser

BY MARK GREGORY Editorial Director @Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com

At the conclusion of the inaugural Burnout on the Bases softball game DuPage Medical Group Field May 30, it was the team made up of mostly NHRA racers and commentators that rallied from behind and won 10-9.

However, the real winner of the day was the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center.

The fundraiser, which was presented by Route 66 Raceway, the Slammers, the City of Joliet and the NHRA, will hopefully be an annual event.

“I can’t believe that they did this for us and they are talking about doing it again and like any event,

every year it gets bigger and bigger,” said CAC Senior Forensic Interviewer Jackie Lundquist. “It was awesome. A lot of people came together in a really short amount of time to make this happen. It was a nice event to help raise funds for a good cause. Our numbers are increasing, but we have to fit them in and we do.”

Lundquist said educating the racers about the work the CAC does in the community is helpful in getting them back on board next year.

“I wasn’t familiar with the racers, but through it all, I got to know them all and was able to tell them what we do and I think they are even more excited to come back next year,” she said. “The Slammers players were great, too. They

“I can’t believe that they did this for us and they are talking about doing it again and like any event, every year it gets bigger and bigger.”

-CAC SENIOR FORENSIC INTERVIEWER JACKIE LUNDQUIST

were just jogging around early on and then they really wanted to win in the end.”

Embracing the communities that they race in is part of what the NHRA enjoys.

“The wonderful part of the series is that we get to travel around to different markets and every different place we go, something is unique to the area,” said FOX Sports reporter Amanda Busick.

“When you think of Chicago – it is anchored by two great Major League Baseball teams and then to come out here and support the Slammers. It was awesome. Scott Paddock and the team always greet us with open arms and Chicago is one of our favorites to come to.”

Having activities in the ballpark when the Slammers are off or on the road is important to everyone involved with the team and the city.

“This is awesome. There is nothing sadder than a ballpark sitting empty,” said Majority owner of the Slammers, Nick Semaca. “We have

a great group of guys and they love getting involved in the community.”

Seeing the park get used was what the city had in mind when it invested in the artificial turf prior to last season.

“We put the money in with the turf and this is what we wanted, so it is great to see it in use every day,” said Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk.

“The racers had fun coming out here and it is great to use the ballpark. The Advocacy Center is a great local organization and it is great that we can come out and support it.”

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CALENDAR

UPCOMING EVENTS IN YOUR AREA WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

June 7 • Joliet 8th Annual New Orleans North noon - 4 p.m. at Down-

town Joliet N. Chicago St./Van Burren. An early summer outdoor Mardi Gras-style event featuring bands, beer tents, and Cajun food. The New Orleans atmosphere is enhanced with Hurricane drinks, a stilt walker, jugglers and other street performers.

Must be 21 or over. Pre-sale admission $7, at the door is $10.

June 12-16 • Woodridge 36th Annual Woodridge Jubilee. Corner of Woodridge

and Center Drives. Carnival rides, live music and a variety of food… summer doesn’t get any better than that! You’ll find that and much more at the 36th Annual Woodridge Jubilee. It is organized by the Woodridge Park District and Village of Woodridge.

June 14 – 16 • Lockport Old Canal Days. Downtown

Lockport. Carnival, talent show, baby contest, museum exhibits, beer garden, contests.

July 19 – 21 • Plainfield Plainfield Fest. Downtown

Planfield. The event, sponsored the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation, typically features carnival rides, food and craft vendors and draws as many as 15,000 people to downtown Plainfield. Proceeds will go toward revitalizing the DuPage riverfront.

June 20-23 • Downers Grove Rotary GroveFest. Downtown

Downers Grove, Main Street, train tracks south to Curtiss St. This family-friendly event starts Thursday when the carnival comes to town. The main stage will be located at Central Square with a beer and wine tent and exceptional entertainment lined up throughout the entire weekend; and the craft show will run Saturday and Sunday between 6th Street and 8th Street on State.

June 21 • Park Ridge Gnome, Elf and Fairy Festival.

Wildwood Nature Center. Dress up as an elf, gnome, or fairy and bring the family to enjoy an afternoon of outdoor magic. Build fairy houses, elf forts, and gnome gardens with natural materials.

Ages 2-10 with adult. R/NR $10 per child

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PAGE 5

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

CLASS 2A STATE SOCCER

HARDWARE

HAUL

JCA wins program’s first ever girls soccer state trophy in Class 2A final four

BY MATT LE CREN For the Bugle www.buglenewspapers.com

Joliet Catholic has long been known for its football, baseball and girls volleyball teams.

Now the word is out about the girls soccer team.

The Angels made an inspired run to the Class 2A state semifinals, including stunning wins over traditional powers Lemont in the sectional final and host Peoria Notre Dame in the supersectional.

The finest season in school history, which included a programrecord 18 victories, ended Saturday with a 3-1 loss to Troy Triad in the third-place game at North Central College in Naperville.

JCA’s bid for the state title ended with a 1-0 loss to Wauconda in Friday’s semifinals, but the Angels (18-3) still walked away with their first state trophy.

“It’s really cool because we’ve lost (in the 1A supersectionals the previous two seasons),” JCA senior Bella D’Andrea said. “We haven’t gotten to state (before), but this year has been really cool, even to just play on this field.”

D’Andrea and her sisters Nina and Natalie all were standouts on JCA’s defense, which allowed only 13 goals this season. Bella and Nina are twins, while Natalie, a sophomore, is two years younger.

They’ve seen great chance in the program, both in the level of play on the field and the attention the team draws from the school and community.

“Nobody really used to come to the girls soccer games,” Bella D’Andrea said. “But this year we’ve had a lot of good crowds at our games. Yesterday we had a huge crowd.”

The Angels fed off the energy of the crowd. They were in the game until the final moments but could not find a way to score.

JCA’s best chance came when junior Makenzie Kaput launched a 28-yard free kick with 21:25 left in the first half but Wauconda goalie Mackenzie Arden made a great diving save.

The Bulldogs (19-3-2), who lost to Benet 2-1 in double overtime in the title match, took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Savannah Johnson at the 13:54 mark of the first half, then packed in their defense.

The strategy worked as the Angels had only one more scoring chance, that coming with 18:30 to go in the second half when Kaput broke in alone on Arden, who came out to make a sliding save.

“It just feels really good to have so many people supporting us,” Nina D’Andrea said. “Soccer wasn’t really a big name for us but just to see all those fans SEE HAUL PAGE 6

PHOTO BY MARK GREGORY

Joliet Catholic Academy earned the program’s first soccer trophy, placing fourth this season.

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

BASEBALL

Hilltopper’s fall 5-4 to No.1 St. Laurence

BY DRAKE SKLEBA For the Bugle www.buglenewspapers.com

The first pitch of any at bat, at any level, in baseball is very instrumental in determining the success of the batter’s ability to hit successfully.

In Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A Sectional Championship Game between host St. Laurence and Joliet Catholic Academy, that was the case in the bottom of the seventh inning.

St. Laurence.

JCA, who was ranked second in Illinois and eighth in the Midwest, entered the bottom of

the seventh inning trailing the Vikings, (33-5) entered the contest ranked No.1 in Illinois, No. 1 in the Midwest and 21st nationally by USA Today, 5-2.

After St. Laurence’s catcher, turned closer Matt McCormick struck out the first batter of the inning, the valiant Hilltoppers, went to work on the All-American.

Leadoff man Greg Ziegler walked. Hilltopper second baseman Christian Knapczyk ripped a single and shortstop Jared Cushing walked to load the bases.

Senior first baseman Max

Cullen sent the huge contingent of Hilltopper fans into a frenzy when he crushed a two-run singl, scoring Ziegler and Knapczyk, to pull the Hilltoppers within 5-4.

“We actually out-hit them and had great at bats in the seventh inning,” Cullen said. “We battled to the very end and sadly just fell a little short. I have loved playing with this team for four years.

I couldn’t have asked for a better group of teammates.”

Up next was junior Dan Wuestenfeld, who had two of the four Hilltopper hits heading into the seventh.

McCormick fired a 90-mile per hour heater at Weustenfeld’s, head, which was called a strike.

Weustenfeld, now down in the count, crushed McCormick’s next pitch on the ground to St. Laurence shortstop Matt Dornbros, who flipped the ball to second baseman Alex Gasparro for the force at second and Gasbarro’s relay to first baseman Vito HAUL FROM PAGE 5 supporting us yesterday really helped a lot, even though it didn’t go our way.”

The third-place match went JCA’s way at first. Freshman Emy Diaz scored to give the Angels a 1-0 lead with 6:13 remaining in the first half. But Triad tied on a goal by Lydia Smith 57 seconds before halftime.

Triad took the lead on Katie Rogers’ penalty kick with 23:34 left in the second half and Smith later added an insurance goal.

Valincius, for the game-ending double play.

“We knew this was going to be a battle,” Alex Vera said. “We had great at bats in the seventh inning but we just fell short. Ever since we were 11 years old, our best clutch hitter, has been Max Cullen. When he came up with the huge, 2-run single to pull us to within one run, we felt we were going to pull it out.”

McCormick got the scoring started when hammered a shot over the right field fence that was last seen heading out over Lake Michigan, for a 1-0 Viking lead in the top of the first.

The Hilltoppers picked up the first of two unearned runs, tying the game at 1-1, on a Viking miscue in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the third with one out, two Viking walks and three stolen bases led to two runs and a 3-1 Viking lead. McCormick, singled home the first run of the inning and Valincius drove home the second run on a sacfly.

St. Laurence picked up an unearned run in the fourth inning, ending the afternoon for Hilltopper starting pitcher Zach Hise (4-1).

Senior left fielder Nick Iannantone’s sac-fly in the bottom of the fourth, pulled the Hilltoppers within 4-2 Alex Vera allowed just one run in his outstanding 3 1/3 innings of relief to keep the Hilltoppers close.

The Hilltoppers bow out at 28-8, for the season.

For the third consecutive season, JCA won the mighty, East Suburban Catholic Conference championship.

“It was great to see us battle to the very end,” JCA head coach Jared Voss said. “Dan hit the ball hard at the shortstop who turned the game-ending double play. We had a great season and I’m really going to miss our seniors. They all put in so many hours of work and accomplished so much, for our program.”

“(Scoring) felt great,” Diaz said.

“We had so much energy and it felt bad (when we lost) but we had such a great season.

“We made it so far this year, so hopefully we can come back next year and bring (a title) back.”

The Angels beat Benet this year so they were hopeful they could win a rematch. But for most of the roster, which includes six sophomores and eight freshmen, was thrilled to participate in the finals.

“It feels great just to be here,” Diaz said. “We didn’t know we’d

make it this far. We did lose today but we did it as a team.

“There’s definitely things to work on for next year, but we did really good. I’m so sad to see the seniors go.”

The Angels graduate only five seniors – forward Jasmine Lamas, defender Sydney Pucel and backup goalie Molly Hibner are the others – from a team on the rise.

“It’s definitely really sad,” Nina D’Andrea said. “But I’m definitely thankful for this experience and that we got this opportunity to be at state.”

BUSINESS + REAL ESTATE

NEWS ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

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COLUMN: DAVE SAYS

If you can’t afford a 15-year mortgage…

Why would you want to stay in debt for 30 years?

Do you have a fear of winning with money?

DEAR DAVE, Is there ever a time when a 30year mortgage is better than a 15year mortgage?

JULIE DEAR JULIE, Let’s see, how should I put this?

No! If you can’t afford a home on

a 15-year mortgage, it means you can’t afford the house. Period.

If you currently own a house, and the only way to keep from being foreclosed on or going bankrupt is to refinance into a 30year mortgage, you’d probably do that – but it doesn’t make it better than a 15-year mortgage. You’ll never hear me recommend a 30year mortgage. I might tolerate one in an extreme situation, but I wouldn’t tell you to go get one.

Besides, why would you want to stay in debt for 30 years? Do you have a fear of winning with money? Are you feeling so generous toward the bank that you

want to just hand them piles of cash every month for three decades?

The average millionaire in this country pays off their mortgage in 10.2 years. Do what smart peo-

ple do, Julie. Do what people who win with money do. A 15-year, fixed rate mortgage is the only kind of home loan I recommend!

—DAVE DEAR DAVE, At what point, where your net worth is concerned, should you consider additional umbrella insurance?

KYLE DEAR KYLE, You can buy an additional $1 million in liability insurance for your home and car for around $250 a year. Why would you want that? If you were a target. Why would you be a target? If you

have a net worth of $500,000 to $1,000,000 or more. You might also be a target if you just have a really good income and make a lot of money.

In either case, you’d want to pick up a liability umbrella policy.

Good question!

—DAVE * Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 16 million listeners each week on 600 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @ DaveRamsey.

8

COUNTY

NEWS

FROM THE SURROUNDING COUNTY AREA

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF WILL COUNTY

In a preserve when severe weather strikes?

Know the difference between severe weather watches and warnings Thunderstorms can be an awe-inspiring glimpse into the power of Mother Nature, but their fury presents real risks if you are caught off guard when storms approach while you’re outdoors.

Severe weather can develop at any time of year, so it’s best to prepared. If you plan on spending time in one of the Forest Preserve District’s preserves, know the forecast before you go, Forest Preserve Police Chief Tracy Chapman advised.

“We have such good information readily available now,” she said. “Just follow the weather (forecast) and check before you go.”

You should also consider installing a weather app on your cell phone that will alert you to approaching bad weather and any weather warnings. For example, the American Red Cross’s free

Emergency: Alerts app is available on both iPhone and Android phones.

Know the difference between severe weather watches and warnings. A watch is issued when conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, while a warning is issued when severe weather is imminent.

When you arrive at a preserve, take a look around to find the best place to take shelter in the event a storm hits. While outdoors, keep your eyes on the skies and pay attention to changing conditions — increasing wind, flashes of light, claps of thunder. If you hear a storm nearby, heed this advice: When thunder roars, go indoors.

Chapman said visitors to the preserves should not travel too far from their vehicles when severe weather is forecast or in the area.

And people should not leave their

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID R. KAZAK | FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF WILL COUNTY

A lightning strike captured from Prairie Bluff Preserve in 2016.

vehicles or be out in the preserves if lightning is in the vicinity, she explained.

Remember that all thunderstorms produce lightning — thunder is the sound lightning makes — and lightning strikes can occur in all seasons.

If a storm approaches while you’re outdoors, take shelter. The safest place to be is inside a building. If no buildings are nearby, hard-topped vehicles are the nextsafest choice. Picnic shelters, pop-

up campers and tents are not safe shelters during a storm.

If you can’t make it to a building or vehicle, seek shelter under a low clump of shrubs or trees in a natural depression. Do not stand under tall, lone objects — be it a tree, fence, pole or power line — and stay away from metal objects such as bikes, baseball bats, fishing poles and camping equipment.

Keep in mind that if you can hear thunder, you can be hit by

lightning. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from rainfall.

If your hair feels like it’s standing on end, it is an indication lightning is about to strike. If this happens, crouch low to the ground on the balls of your feet with your hands over your ears. Do not lie flat on the ground!

If a tornado is nearby and you cannot safely shelter in a building, move as far away from trees, cars and other large objects as possible. Lie face down flat on the ground and protect your head with your arms.

Don’t be tricked by blue skies and sunshine following a storm.

Stay in your shelter spot for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before moving on. And be cautious of standing water, heeding the National Weather Service’s advice: Turn Around Don’t Drown.

As little as 6 inches of fast-moving water can sweep people off their feet, and 18 inches to 24 inches of water is enough to move most cars.

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STATE

NEWS

F R O M T H E S TAT E O F I L L I N O I S

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

11

STATE NEWS

Illinois to legalize sports gambling, add casinos Governor pledges signature on bill approved by Senate Sunday

BY GRANT MORGAN Capitol News Illinois gmorgan@capitolnewillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD — Six new casinos, along with legalized sports betting, are coming to Illinois after Senate lawmakers approved a massive gambling expansion bill Sunday.

Senate Bill 690, sponsored by Indian Creek Democratic Sen. Terry Link, passed that chamber on a 46-10 vote after being approved by House lawmakers the day before.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has already announced his intention to sign it into law.

“I’ve only been doing this for 20 years to get this done, and it’s a little emotional,” said a teary-eyed Link

during floor discussion of the bill.

Link estimated that gambling expansion along with other revenueraising measures in the bill could net Illinois more than $12 billion in the next six years.

“This key piece of legislation really is going to make an economic difference of keeping our dollars home,” he said, adding he expects “thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in construction across the state.”

That construction would go toward the six new casinos authorized by the bill in Waukegan, Rockford, Danville, South Suburbs, Williamson County and downtown Chicago.

Casinos, race tracks and sports facilities that seat more than 17,000

people – such as Wrigley Field or United Center – would also be eligible to buy sports betting licenses under the bill, making Illinois one of about a dozen states to legalize the practice after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year allowed it.

In a news release Saturday, Pritzker expressed his support for the

measure and praised the lawmakers who have unsuccessfully tried to expand gambling in the state for years.

“Legalized sports betting and expanding gaming will create jobs up and down the state, …where communities hungry for employment will see 10,000 new jobs,” he said.

“Gaming expansions in this state have been attempted and failed for years. … Today is a win for the whole state.”

Revenues raised from the new casinos, the selling of sports betting licenses, and a higher tax on video gambling machines would go toward funding the vertical components of a long-term capital infrastructure plan, such as state building renovations. Sports betting licenses would range from $3.2 million to $20 million and be offered to both brick-and-mortar facilities and to online operators, with taxes of 15 percent.

Under the bill, race tracks in the state would be able to install slot machines and table games, turning them into racinos.

A pilot program will also assess sports betting through the Illinois Lottery, a plan that was considered but dropped by lawmakers earlier in the session.

STATE NEWS

House sends marijuana legalization to Gov Legal retail sales could begin Jan. 1, 2020

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House on Friday passed a bill legalizing adult recreational marijuana in the state.

The 66-to-47 vote sends House Bill 1438 to Gov. J.B. Pritzker who campaigned in 2018 on a platform that included legalizing marijuana. The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday, 38-17.

“The state of Illinois just made history, legalizing adult-use cannabis with the most equitycentric approach in the nation,” Pritzker said in a statement released after the vote. “This will have a transformational impact on our state, creating opportunity in the communities that need it most and giving so many a second chance. In the interest of equity and criminal justice reform, I look forward to signing this monumental legislation.”

Friday’s vote, however, came after a marathon debate that lasted

nearly four hours, leaving lawmakers with less than 10 hours to complete the rest of their business for the session. That forced leaders to announce the House would continue meeting Saturday and Sunday.

With passage of the marijuana bill, Illinois is poised to become the 10th state in the nation to legalize its use by adults for recreational purposes. But it would be the first to do so by a comprehensive statute enacted by the legislature rather than through a ballot initiative.

Vermont legalized marijuana through legislation in 2018, but that law covered only personal use and cultivation. It did not include retail sales.

The Illinois bill would provide for licensing and regulation of marijuana cultivators, processors, transporters and sellers. It also allows Illinois residents over age 21 to possess up to 30 grams, or roughly one ounce, of marijuana for personal use, and it allows people certified to use marijuana for medical purposes to grow up to five plants in their own homes.

Sales and possession would become legal under state law on

“We have been able to craft a policy that reinvests money in communities that have been divested in for the last 80 years.”

- REP. JENHAN GORDONBOOTH, D-PEORIA.

Jan. 1, 2020, although marijuana is still illegal under federal law.

The bill also sets out a schedule of licensing fees and excise taxes that Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said is expected to generate $58 million in the upcoming fiscal year, and as much as $500 million a year when the industry is fully mature.

“This is the beginning of the end of the war on drugs,” Cassidy said on the House floor just before the final vote.

Indeed, many supporters of legalization said their primary goal was to correct the inequities and social harms they say the war on drugs has had on black and Latino communities, who they argued have been disproportionately targeted for enforcement

and incarceration for drug violations.

The bill would provide a mechanism under which hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents could have criminal records for minor marijuana-related offenses expunged.

It also would direct a significant share of the revenues generated into community reinvestment programs for communities that have been disproportionately impacted by drug enforcement policies.

“We have been able to craft a policy that reinvests money in communities that have been divested in for the last 80 years,” said Rep. Jenhan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria.

The bill also does nothing to change the state’s medical marijuana program. In fact, people who hold licenses to operate medical marijuana dispensaries will have the first opportunity to obtain a second license for a recreational dispensary so retail sales can begin Jan 1.

Chris Stone, CEO of Ascend Wellness/HCI Alternatives, which operates medical dispensaries in Springfield and Collinsville, is-

sued a statement after the vote saying that company would continue operating those outlets, adding: “We are excited for the future and look forward to serving even more people in the years to come.”

Critics of the bill, however, warned about the public health and criminal justice effects that they said legalization would have.

Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, cited a number of scientific studies that showed a correlation between marijuana use and violent behavior, including studies that showed an increase in violent crime in states that have recently legalized marijuana.

“Correlation does not prove causation,” he said. “However, there is sufficient evidence for us to show that there is a connection between the use, particularly heavy use of marijuana and the increase in violence.”

And Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, re-enacted a 1980s-era anti-drug advertisement by holding up an egg, saying, “This is your brain,” then breaking it into a frying pay and saying, “This is your brain on drugs.”

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