Theft ring busted
Police in Lyons say they have discovered a high-end theft ring that involved multiple states.
The investigation centered around a warehouse filled with stolen merchandise. Millions of dollars of shoes, jewelry, electronics and clothing were found inside.
Lyons detectives found surveillance video that shows two men stealing a semi-trailer truck and taking it to the warehouse to resell the items to retailers.
People’s Gas rate hike recommended
A consumer watchdog group is calling on the Illinois Commerce Commission to take a stand on the kinds of profits People’s Gas has been enjoying and not give the utility the rate increase it wants.
An administrative law judge recommends People’s Gas be given a $350 million rate increase, not the more than $400 million increase the utility wants, but the Citizens Utility Board said People’s Gas shouldn’t even get that much of a hike.
CUB estimates the average natural gas bill in Chicago would rise $120 per year if the ICC approved the rate increase.
Investing in Israel
Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs has announced that his office will invest $10 million in Israel in response to Hamas’ attack on the country last week. This investment is the latest that Frerichs’ office has made since he became the treasurer in 2015, totaling over $100 million.
The state treasurer said the investment diversifies the state’s portfolio, draws attention to the partnership between the state’s economy and Israel, and achieves a good return from what he described as a safe investment.
