11+ mon, 2+ week ago (203+ words) Shopping for Christmas gifts? The Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide 2024 is an easy way to support local businesses. Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide: How to support local businesses while shopping for loved ones CHICAGO (WLS) -- As you do your holiday shopping, here is an easy way to support local businesses. The Illinois Office of Tourism is out with its Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide. The 2024 guide features a variety of handcrafted items and homemade goods, each reflecting the diversity of Illinois' local businesses. From artisanal candles and essential oils to savory treats and seasonal coffee blends, this guide celebrates the unique craftsmanship of small businesses across the state. Spokesperson Marla Cichowski joined ABC7 on Tuesday night with a look at some of the featured products, including food and beverage options, some gift options for the whole family and gift ideas for…...

6+ mon, 3+ week ago (238+ words) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is trying to woo Canadian tourists to come visit Illinois this summer. The move in conjunction with National Travel and Tourism Week. The ... Governor JB Pritzker wooing Canadian tourists to visit Illinois SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is trying to woo Canadian tourists to come visit Illinois this summer. The move in conjunction with National Travel and Tourism Week. The Governor posted a message to re-affirm the state's strong relationship with Canada as a key tourism partner. Pritzker is hoping to re-assure Canadians that Illinois and the U.S. welcomes our neighbors to north despite the current political rift between the two nations. "I don't blame anyone from Canada whose appetite for visiting the U.S. might have soured-with our current president and the shameful way he's represented us on the national stage as of late. But…...

4+ mon, 1+ week ago (108+ words) CHICAGO (WLS) -- A five-vehicle crash has closed all northbound lanes of Interstate 94 in the north suburbs Wednesday, Illinois State Police said. The crash took place about 10:45 a.m. on I-94, north of Dundee Road in Northbrook, police said. Five vehicles were involved. It's not clear what led up to the crash. Get the latest on Chicago-area traffic Police said the crash involved injuries, but did not say how many people were injured or how severe the injuries are. All northbound lanes were closed as of about 12:20 p.m. This is a developing story; check back with ABC7 Chicago for updates....

11+ mon, 2+ week ago (131+ words) CHICAGO (WLS) -- You can help decide whether the state of Illinois gets a new flag. On Tuesday night, we are getting our first look at the 10 finalists from thousands of submissions in a state flag redesign contest. Starting next month, you can vote to adopt one of these new designs or to stick with the current flag. CHICAGO (WLS) -- You can help decide whether the state of Illinois gets a new flag. On Tuesday night, we are getting our first look at the 10 finalists from thousands of submissions in a state flag redesign contest. Starting next month, you can vote to adopt one of these new designs or to stick with the current flag. The results will be sent to state lawmakers, who will cast their own votes....

11+ mon, 2+ week ago (437+ words) CHICAGO (WLS) -- January first will mark five years since recreational marijuana became legal in Illinois. Long lines were seen on January 1st, 2020 as hundreds waited to get into dispensaries in Chicago and across Illinois. Tiffany Chappell Ingram is the executive director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois. The state went from zero to more than 239 dispensaries in five years, according to Ingram. The industry also employes more than 30,000 people. However, Ingram said the cannabis industry is "extremely challenging" to be a part of. "You have to remember, federally, it's not normalized. So, what that means is that you don't have normalized banking. Which means it's very challenging to get capital, which is the life blood of any business," she said. State compliance regulations and taxes in Illinois, compared to states such as Missouri and Michigan, also make the industry challenging....

3+ mon, 3+ week ago (241+ words) CHICAGO (WLS) -- Late last month hundreds of quantum computing leaders from business, government, and academia gathered in Chicago for the inaugural Global Quantum Forum. During the forum, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Intersect Illinois announced that quantum company Infleqtion will headquarter its global quantum computing operations in Illinois. The company will be a future tenant at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago. It will be located at the former US Steel South Works site along the lake in the South Chicago neighborhood. "There will be construction jobs, jobs for security personnel, jobs for all the support services," Preeti Chalsani, the chief Quantum officer for Intersect Illinois said. Chalsani said jobs are expected to go well beyond just PhD's: "It's really creating a whole industry that requires everybody." Quantum computing uses the…...

10+ mon, 2+ week ago (202+ words) CHICAGO (WLS) -- An Illinois couple is planning to retire after winning more than $2 million. The couple, who wished to be anonymous, was watching TV when the husband opened the Illinois Lottery app ... High school sweethearts win $2.66M using Illinois Lottery app: 'It's time for you to retire' CHICAGO (WLS) -- An Illinois couple is planning to retire after winning more than $2 million. The couple, who wished to be anonymous, was watching TV when the husband opened the Illinois Lottery app and played the Fast Play Ultimate Diamond Jackpot game. Next thing, he won the $2,661,339 jackpot. "When I realized I won the jackpot, my jaw dropped and I gasped. My wife looked at me and asked, 'Are you okay? What's wrong?'," shared the winner. "I told her we hit the jackpot. She simply said 'Yeah, right,' but then I showed her my phone…...

3+ mon, 4+ week ago (369+ words) Woman, family had moved in next to Rep. Marcus Evans CHICAGO (WLS) -- There is some good news for a Chicago couple who said an alleged squatter moved into their property and would not leave. That alleged squatter moved next-door to a state lawmaker in Avalon Park. Now, the owners of that home are breathing a sigh of relief. After several days of trying to get an alleged squatter out of their home, the Chicago couple says the woman and her family have finally left their property. Rodrigo Leyva and his wife, Linda Gomez, are celebrating. "With some tacos and some beer because everybody's happy," homeowner Leyva said. State Rep. Marcus Evans lives next-door, and watched it all unfold. "Surprised us all, taking these folks' property. Squatting: It shouldn't be allowed," Evans said. This case also got the attention of state…...

1+ mon, 16+ hour ago (83+ words) CHICAGO (WLS) -- Governor Pritzker announced he would sign an executive order to support Illinois farmers on Wednesday. No immediate details regarding the executive order were released. Before the scheduled signing, Pritzker visited the Curtin Family Farm in Taylorville, Illinois. His office said he joined farmers to discuss how Trump tariffs are impacting the Illinois farming community. The executive order signing was expected to gin at 10:30 a.m. READ ALSO | Pritzker creates 'Illinois Accountability Commission' in executive order amid federal deployments...

9+ mon, 3+ day ago (420+ words) CHICAGO (WLS) -- Towing companies are taking advantage of drivers after crashes, the ABC7 I-team found it its investigation into so-called "Rogue Towers." However, there is new legislation that can potentially rein in unlicensed or illegal towing companies. Lawmakers said "Rogue Towing Regulations" will help crackdown on those preying on drivers. The I-Team was along for the ride in May of 2022 when Chicago's Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Department and police found towing violators. Some alleged violators at the time weren't displaying the proper license and allegedly had illegal scanners and lights. Tow companies are not allowed to listen to scanners and show up at the scene unless they are called. RELATED | How to spot an unlicensed Chicago towing company and protect your car, plus save hundreds of dollars "What they are listening for are accidents," State Representative Will Davis said. "When…...