Emerald Coast is back seeking approval for a cannabis dispensary at the former Bakers Square Restaurant location on Jefferson Street.
The Joliet City Council is slated to vote Tuesday on a special use permit for the site at 2211 W. Jefferson St.
The project came to the council for approval in August, when it did not get enough support to be even put up to a vote.
Council members at a workshop meeting on Monday offered mixed opinions on whether they would vote for what would be the third cannabis dispensary in Joliet if approved.
“When this came to us before it was the location that was the problem,” Councilwoman Jan Quillman said, adding that she got calls from “a lot of residents.”
Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra had the opposite opinion.
“I think that’s an excellent location,” Ibarra said. “I’m within walking distance of that location.”
Ibarra said cannabis dispensaries bring “more police presence,” which would be good for the neighborhood.
The staunchest opposition came from Councilman Larry Hug, who called Illinois cannabis policy “a pay to play system” dominated by big-money operators.
“It does not serve the young entrepreneur or any entrepreneur,” Hug said.
Matthew Hagglund Jr. then stepped up and told the council that he is a “social equity