Since June, when Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law the measure to legalize marijuana, few municipalities have addressed the issue publicly. The new law would allow the state's 55 existing medical marijuana dispensaries to open new retail shops on their current sites, and open a second site elsewhere -- but only if local officials allow it.

In addition, applications for up to 75 new dispensaries will be due by Jan. 1, 2020, and are to be awarded by May 1, 2020, so entrepreneurs will want to know which areas will allow them to operate.

Leaders in some suburbs have staked out early positions on the issue. The City Council of Naperville voted 5-4 July 16 to have staff draw up paperwork to ban the businesses. A final vote on the issue is still weeks away.

Proponents of the ban say they are trying to protect the city's image.

"There is nothing family friendly about recreational marijuana," resident Jennifer Taylor said. "Family friendly is Naperville's brand."

Some aldermen don't want to add to the problems caused by sales of other potentially addictive substances such as alcohol and cigarettes.

Cannabis business supporters say that a ban would be a hypocritical overreaction, and that a few stores won't change the town's reputation.