Latest news with #IllinoisDepartmentofFinancialandProfessionalRegulation
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois Attorney General warns of home and business repair scams
CHICAGO (WMBD) — The spring and summer months can be a scary time for many Illinoisans as it has the potential to bring devastating storms, and with this come scammers looking to exploit those affected. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning state residents to be on the lookout for scammers trying to exploit homeowners and businesses in need of repairs, he said in a news release. 'Just as severe weather during Illinois spring months is inevitable, so too are the scammers attempting to take advantage of the devastation left in the storms' wake,' he said. 'I encourage people to use the free resources provided by my office, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and other reputable resources to ensure they choose a trustworthy contractor when assessing any damage and making repair plans. 'People should be wary of any individual who solicits home repair or insurance adjusting services door to door,' Raoul said. General contractors are not required by state law to be licensed, but many local municipalities may require permits, so people should check with their local government to get more information on permit requirements before hiring anyone, Raoul said. He also said some groups are required to have state permits such as public adjusters, roofers and plumbers. Any work that costs more than $1,000 is required to have a written contract signed by both the contractor and the customer, they must have at least the minimum insurance for bodily injury, property damage and improper home repair, he said. In the release, Raoul gives the following tips to avoid dishonest contractors: Be wary of contractors who go door to door to offer repair services or 'free' inspections. Ask for recommendations from people you know and trust and, whenever possible, use established local contractors. Visit the Better Business Bureau's St. Louis or Chicago websites to see if a business is a member and whether any complaints have been lodged against it. Contact Raoul's Consumer Fraud Bureau to ask whether consumers have filed complaints against the contractor. Even if there is a need to act quickly, shop around. Get written estimates from multiple contractors, and don't be rushed into a deal. Get all terms of a contract in writing, and obtain a copy of the signed contract. Never make the full payment until all work has been completed to your satisfaction. Never pay in cash. Be aware that you have the right to cancel a contract within three business days if you signed it based on the contractor's visit to your home. In the case of disaster repair, if your insurance carrier denies coverage, you have the right to cancel the contract within five days of your insurance carrier's denial and within 30 days of receiving the proof of loss from your insurance carrier. Be aware that public adjusters do not work for your insurance company and may charge additional fees. If you submit a claim to your insurance company, your insurance company will likely provide an adjuster to review your claim at no additional cost to you. If you contract with a public adjuster, pay particular attention to the amount of fees being charged and whether you are obligated to use a specific contractor for repairs. Ask to see the required state and local permits and licenses. Insurance adjusters and roofers must be licensed by state agencies. It should raise a red flag if the roofer or adjuster does not have a required license, or if the name on the license doesn't match the name on the business card or truck. Please visit the IDFPR's website, to search for roofing licenses. Visit the DOI's website or call (866) 445-5364 to verify that a public adjuster is licensed and in good standing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Decatur looking to end sweepstake kiosks, regulate massage parlors
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur City Council will look to ban sweepstakes kiosks from operation as well as create licenses for massage businesses. At their meeting Monday evening, the council will discuss amending the city code to prohibit sweepstake machines. Officials say the kiosk advertise the ability to play for free, but that claim is misleading. Search for new Millikin leader underway after president steps down The ordinance would still allow 'duly licensed video gaming terminals' to remain open within city limits. City officials are also hoping to create regulations for massage parlors. This would require the businesses to undergo regular inspections. Other requirements in the ordinance would be enforce that all massage therapists be licensed from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as well as implementing signage explaining that solicitation for sexual favors is against state law. Medical facilities, athletic programs, licensed cosmetologists, educational institutions, and State licensed home-based massage service providers would be exempt from the amendment. The City of Springfield has cracked down and closed 11 massage parlors after enacting a similar ordinance last year. Decatur Police seeking tips on armed robbery Council members are also set to consider two honorary street designations to acknowledge the work of local leaders: Bishop Thomas Cooper — at the corner of Macon Street & Haworth Street, and Dr. Thomas Walker — at the corner of Water Street & Cerro Gordo Street. The Decatur City Council will meet Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the city council chambers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois cannabis sales top $2B, set new record
CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Five years after Illinois legalized recreational use of marijuana, the state has announced a record $2 billion of cannabis product was sold in 2024, a 2.5% increase over 2023. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said medical cannabis sales exceeded $285 million. Sales tax collected at Illinois dispensaries totaled more than $490 million in 2024, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. 'The numbers are clear: five years after we legalized adult use cannabis in Illinois, we're seeing the economic impact of a thriving cannabis industry,' said Gov. JB Pritzker. 'With $2 billion in record-setting sales and $490 million generated in tax revenue, our first-in-the-nation equity-focused cannabis industry is the result of my administration's policies, which prioritized repairing the damage done by the failed War on Drugs, creating more good-paying jobs, and building a safe, equitable, and prosperous business sector—making Illinois by far the national leader in diverse ownership for this industry.' The state also said more than $385 million worth of cannabis was purchased by out-of-state residents, where cannabis consumption is illegal. There are currently 244 cannabis dispensaries in Illinois. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois reports record-breaking cannabis sales in 2024
CHICAGO (WMBD) — For the fourth year in a row, the state of Illinois has seen record-breaking cannabis sales across the state. According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, dispensaries reported that more than $2 billion worth of cannabis products was sold in 2024. This is a 2.5% increase from 2023. Of those sales, about $1.722 billion was in adult-use cannabis sales and more than $285 million in medical cannabis sales. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, Illinois collected more than $490 million in sales tax from Illinois cannabis dispensaries. 'The numbers are clear: five years after we legalized adult-use cannabis in Illinois, we're seeing the economic impact of a thriving cannabis industry,' Governor JB Pritzker said. 'With $2 billion in record-setting sales and $490 million generated in tax revenue, our first-in-the-nation equity-focused cannabis industry is the result of my administration's policies, which prioritized repairing the damage done by the failed War on Drugs, creating more good-paying jobs, and building a safe, equitable, and prosperous business sector—making Illinois by far the national leader in diverse ownership for this industry.' There are currently 244 adult-use cannabis dispensaries in Illinois. Cannabis market sales figures across the state can be tracked here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
