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<\/p>\nJohn Fritchey<\/h2>\n
Chicago residents are likely familiar with John Fritchey. He\u2019s a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives and a current Cook County Commissioner. He\u2019s also one of the biggest allies and advocates for marijuana legalization in the state.<\/p>\n
Fritchey co-sponsored the bill that resulted in Illinois\u2019 medical marijuana program back in 2013 and also aided in the decriminalization of cannabis possession. More recently, last November, Fritchey estimated that legalizing\u00a0recreational\u00a0marijuana would bring in $500 million in tax revenue to the state. He also teamed up with fellow Commissioner\u00a0Luis Arroyo to propose a legalization referendum on the Cook County primary election ballots<\/a>.<\/p>\n While marijuana legislation has been a hot topic in the past few years, citizens of Illinois may have been wondering why Commissioner John Fritchey has been so passionate about the subject.<\/p>\n One of the reasons is likely because cannabis law reform directly aligns\u00a0with his progressive values. In his political career, he has made himself known as a human rights advocate, taking on causes like paid sick leave, parental leave reform and violence prevention. He even created the Cook County Violence Prevention, Intervention and Reduction Advisory Committee. He is also an animal rights activist.<\/p>\n And this lawmaker just admitted to being a medical marijuana patient.<\/p>\n