Llerrem Illinois is a step closer to its plans for a craft marijuana growing facility at 603 E. Hickory St., Streator.

The Streator Plan Commission recommended a second zoning and special use permit for the company during a Tuesday night meeting. Llerrem Illinois previously assisted John and Joe Florist in its effort to obtain a grow facility on West Main Street.

"The idea of a second application is to maximize the opportunity for this kind of facility in Streator," said Llerrem CEO Paul Magelli. "We would like to pursue multiple applications, and this increases our opportunity."

State applications are available on the Illinois Department of Agriculture's website. License applications will be submitted to the agency between Feb. 14 and March 16. The state will award up to 40 licenses on or before July 1. By Dec. 21, the state will issue up to 60 additional licenses.

Magelli said a Hickory Street marijuana facility would have to meet the same standards as the one approved at John and Joe Florist. The Hickory Street site is currently being used as a bus parking lot for Streator schools.

Merrell Magelli, Paul's sister and the owner of Llerrem, said their goal is to find ways cannabis can be used as a solution, rather than as a recreational drug.

"There's only one place in Massachusetts that's allowed to grow marijuana to research," Merrell said. "Our goal is to look at it from the medicinal aspect to understand what's going on."

Merrell said she has been performing medical research for more than 30 years.

"Some people don't realize that post-9/11, 28% of our veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome," Merrell said. "Sixteen of them (die of) suicide every day. We think our research here can create an impact, and this will provide real world evidence."

The recommendation will go before the City Council for approval at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

In other business

The Plan Commission also recommended facade grants for Marilyn Horton, who owns 502 through 506 E. Main St., and George Krasnican, who owns 106 and 108 E. Main St. Horton received $15,000 for her lots, while Krasnican received $15,000 each for his two spaces.

City Engineer Jeremy Palm said Krasnican's facade grant will allow him to fix the upper facade, where the brick is decaying. The lower facades, where Papa Joe's Pizza once stood and where Grump's diner still stands, will still be wood, but they will be painted.

These recommendations will be up for approval at the next City Council meeting.