Elmhurst Mayor Open To Marijuana Sales

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin said during the recent campaign that he was open to reconsidering the city's ban on recreational marijuana sales in town — and that remains his position.

In a recent interview with Crain's Chicago Business, Levin, who was elected in April, said the city may revisit the issue. In the same story, other mayors indicated a similar willingness.

"The tax revenue could be significant," Levin told the publication. "I suspect in the next year or so, we'll at least look into it and say, 'What's been the experience of other communities?' It doesn't mean we will or we won't, but there are enough reasons to look at it."

In a February candidates forum, Levin sounded a similar note.

"While I say no to gaming, we should carefully evaluate the experience of cannabis sales in communities that have allowed it and provide our residents the opportunity to fully participate in that discussion," Levin said.

In 2019, the City Council voted unanimously to ban recreational marijuana businesses in Elmhurst. That consensus included all three mayoral candidates in the April election — Levin, Michael Bram and Mark Mulliner.

In the February forum, Bram, who is no longer an alderman, said he would support bringing back the issue of marijuana sales. Mulliner did not specifically address the issue.