CAPITOL RECAP: Dispensaries report smooth rollout of legalized marijuana

Capitol News Illinois file photo

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, speaks on the floor of the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield on Friday, Jan. 8, requesting increased access for reporters covering the session. A handful of reporters were allowed on the mezzanine level of the 7,700-seat convention center. No expanded access was granted Friday. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia announced her resignation following a contentious hearing of the House Civil Judiciary Committee on Monday, Jan. 11. (Credit: blueroomstream.com)

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks from the governor’s office Monday, Jan. 11, at the Capitol in Springfield, giving an update on the state’s COVID-19 vaccination effort and taking questions about his priorities for the lame duck legislative session. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike takes questions during a COVID-19 briefing Monday, Jan. 11, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. She gave an update on the state’s vaccination plan. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

House Speaker Michael Madigan (right), D-Chicago, talks with Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, during the lame-duck session for the Illinois House of Representatives held at the Bank of Springfield Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, Monday, Jan. 11, in Springfield. (Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register)

Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (left), D-Chicago, talks with House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, during the lame-duck session for the Illinois House of Representatives held at the Bank of Springfield Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, Monday, Jan. 11, in Springfield. (Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register)

Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch, D-Hillside, (right) speaks to Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, Monday on the floor of the Bank of Springfield Center, which is serving as the Illinois House chamber amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the House Black Caucus backed Welch for speaker of the 102nd General Assembly Monday night, Jan. 11. (Credit: Justin Fowler of the State Journal Register)

Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (left), D-Hillside, talks with Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, during the lame-duck session for the Illinois House of Representatives held Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus has endorsed Welch, D-Hillside, for House speaker. Williams also is a candidate. (Credit: Justin L. Fowler of The State Journal-Register)

Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, gives an impassioned speech as he denounces the riot at the U.S. Capitol during the lame-duck session for the Illinois House of Representatives on Tuesday at the Bank of Springfield Center. Later, Butler voted against a bill in House Executive Committee that would expand vote-by-mail provisions. Butler said the bill fails to provide adequate security to ensure election integrity. (Credit: Justin L. Fowler of The State Journal-Register)

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, delivers his remarks after taking the Oath of Office on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the Bank of Springfield Center. Welch was voted the first Black speaker of the Illinois House moments earlier. (Credit: Justin L. Fowler of The State Journal-Register

Crews place plywood over windows at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Friday, Jan. 15, amid FBI warnings of potential armed protests across the 50 states leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. (Capitol News Illinois photos by Peter Hancock)