Normal auto plant produces last car
NORMAL — The Mitsubishi Motors plant in downstate Normal has produced its last vehicle.
The plant on Monday ended production of its only vehicle, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, ending a 30-year run as one of central Illinois McLean County’s largest employers.
WJBC-AM reported about 900 union workers worked the last day. A few employees will remain on the job to complete the shutdown.
Vehicle production peaked in 2000 when the plant turned out 222,000 vehicles.
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce will hold a job fair for workers Dec. 11. Starting next week, a transition center will open in Normal to help the laid-off workers.
A task force is looking for a buyer for the plant.
Accused physician could lose license over medical marijuana recommendations
A physician accused of violating Illinois’ medical marijuana law could lose his license in a case that critics say highlights the state’s strict enforcement of the pilot program and that his patients worry could hurt their ability to buy cannabis.
Illinois regulators say Dr. Bodo Schneider charged patients for pot recommendations at offices in southern Illinois and suburban Chicago without a legitimate doctor-patient relationship. At a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Chicago, attorneys said they’re negotiating a possible settlement.
Schneider approved marijuana for hundreds of patients in the state’s program, for which legal sales began just last month. Patients must have a doctor’s signature to qualify for a required ID card.