On November 6, 2018, the gubernatorial election will come to a head. One of the main businessmen in the running for Illinois is democratic candidate J.B. Pritzker. A big point in Pritzker’s campaign is the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois.

“In the name of criminal justice reform, consumer safety, and increased state revenue, it’s time to legalize marijuana in Illinois,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker believes that Illinois will benefit greatly from this law being passed. His campaign has stressed the increase in revenue and jobs from the legalization and production of marijuana.

“I don’t think things are going to change because of [marijuana being legalized],” long-time resident of Antioch Bud Cribaro said. “People who want to try marijuana are going to find ways to get it, legalized or not. If anything, it’d just make it easier.”

Nevertheless, there will probably not be any laws regarding marijuana passed without Pritzker being elected as governor. His republican opponent, Bruce Rauner, is completely against the legalization of recreational marijuana. Rauner and fellow Republicans have been discussing a bill to prohibit marijuana on a nationwide scale.

Neither the law nor the revenue will develop overnight. It is a process that has been long awaited by some many citizens of Illinois. Antioch will be affected; it is now up to the people to decide how.