We break down complex business news to help you understand how money moves in Chicago and how it affects you.
Illinois
Consumer advocacy groups oppose Illinois American Water $142.4M rate hike and potential major acquisition
Consumer advocates want Illinois American Water to cut its proposed $142.4 million rate hike by 38%, saying the company is seeking exorbitant profits.
Those advocates are seeking a $54 million cut to the proposal, according to filings to the Illinois Commerce Commission from the Illinois Attorney General’s office and groups including the Citizens Utility Board. The Illinois Commerce Commission is set to rule on the company’s request later this year.
Illinois American’s proposal, filed earlier this year, was submitted after the Illinois Commerce Commission approved a separate $110 million rate increase for the company for 2025. Illinois American’s proposal could bump water bills by an average of $168 per year for residential water customers and $336 per year for wastewater customers, according to CUB estimates.
The groups argue that Illinois American’s request for an increased payout for its investors — 10.75%, the same figure the ICC reduced by nearly a full percentage point in its last rate case — is driving the rising costs, saying it’s overinflated by $30.8 million when IAW’s parent company has seen more than $1 billion dollars in profit each of the last two years.
Meanwhile, as of April, nearly 47,000 households are already behind on their bills to Illinois American Water, totaling more than $8 million, according to ICC data.
“The fact that [the current return on investment] is not enough for them already is troubling,” said Eric DuBellis, general counsel for CUB.
In a statement to the Sun-Times, the company attributed the request for a rate increase to the cost of “replacing aging pipes, upgrading treatment facilities, improving storage and pumping systems, and meeting evolving regulatory requirements.”
But in addition to $4.7 million in executive bonuses factored into the request, CUB said the company also is basing its revenue estimates on a sharp drop in water use, akin to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people stopped leaving their homes.
“It’s an absurd thing to forecast — that was an unforeseeable circumstance in an otherwise normal year,” DuBellis said.
Illinois American serves 148 communities across the state, including some in suburban Chicago. It operates the water delivery systems in those communities, along with 18 water treatment plants and 17 wastewater treatment facilities around the state.
Even beyond the rate hike, Illinois American and Aqua Illinois, two of the largest water utility providers in the state, proposed an acquisition that would put the two under the same roof last October; the Illinois Commerce Commission still has yet to rule on it.
Over the last several years, the two companies have aggressively bought up depreciated municipal water and wastewater systems, which CUB says has added $411 million to Illinois water bills since 2013.
Illinois American has also purchased Prairie Path Water Company, which has about 35,000 customers in northern and central Illinois. If the proposed acquisition is approved, it would leave just about 800 private residential water customers outside Illinois American’s jurisdiction statewide — an effective monopoly for water utility and a complete monopoly for wastewater, according to CUB.
The “level of market consolidation raises obvious concerns,” representatives for CUB wrote in ICC filings.
“It would make one large private utility in the state,” Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs. “They’re buying all these systems, there’ll be no competition, just one big monopoly.”
The consumer advocate also argues the consolidation of utilities has led to worse outcomes for customers.
Data from Aqua Illinois in ICC filings show a 77% increase in “unplanned disruptions” — such as main breaks — from 2022 to 2025, as well as a 39% increase in “unplanned advisories,” which include boil orders, between 2024 and 2025. CUB said data for advisories in 2022 and 2023 weren’t provided when requested by the Attorney General’s office as part of the case for the rate hike.
“Customers pay the full price of the system, plus they replace it all,” McDaniel said. “We think shareholders ought to pay for that.”
State Sen. Laura Murphy had legislation up for consideration to force utility companies’ shareholders to shoulder 80% of merger and acquisition costs.
Between July 2024 and 2025, IAW customers in Des Plaines saw bills an average of 142% higher than those getting water from the municipal system, according to a study conducted by the city of Des Plaines.
The legislation was amended after push back, opting instead to give towns and cities a chance to buy back their systems every few years, but still didn’t pass by the end of the session. The problem persists, Murphy said, as she still constantly hears of complaints out of Des Plaines, the town which originally inspired the bill.
“I remember when it was rare when a utility went to the ICC [for a rate hike], people’s salaries can’t keep up, ” Murphy said. “You have to learn how to manage the same way the government does. You don’t have to have profits to increase upper management salaries.”
Looking ahead to the fall session, Murphy said her colleagues have been looking into reforming the current rate hike system and bolstering the ICC’s ability to regulate utilities.
Illinois American’s request comes at the same time Peoples Gas’ put in for a $202 million rate hike and Nicor for a $220 million rate hike; both also will be up for a vote before the ICC later this year.
“Our system structure puts the ICC as that watchdog and they’re going to have to step up like they never have before,” Murphy said.
Illinois
2 teens hospitalized after being rescued by bystanders from Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park near Zion
Two teenage boys were transported to the hospital after they were rescued by friends and bystanders from Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park near Zion Monday evening.
The Beach Park Fire Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:15 p.m. Monday to Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park, 1 Lake Front Drive in unincorporated Zion, for a report of a water rescue.
911 callers reported two people in Lake Michigan struggling approximately 100 yards from shore.
Beach Park Fire Department Battalion Chief Thomas Hopkins said crews arrived and learned two teenage males had been in distress in the water.
They were rescued by friends and bystanders and were on shore when emergency crews arrived.
A significant response was initially dispatched but was downgraded after it was determined that no one was still in need of rescue, Hopkins said.
The incident happened at the main beach while the victims were swimming with their friends.
Hopkins said paramedics provided medical care to both of the victims and transported them to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan.
One of the victims, who was doing worse than the other, seemed to improve by the time the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Hopkins said.
Both were awake and talking. Their exact conditions were not known but they were both expected to survive.
Hopkins said visitors at the state park should be cautious and aware. The state provides life preservers at the beach for patrons to use.
Hopkins also said that the state has made safety improvements but Lake Michigan still can be “very dangerous.”
The Zion Fire/Rescue Department assisted the Beach Park Fire Department during the incident.
Silent hand gesture helps victims ask for help, respond safely
A discreet hand gesture created to signal distress is saving lives and spreading through social media.
Editor’s note: This article discusses domestic violence. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence or an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or visit www.thehotline.org. Callers can remain anonymous.
Two teenagers have been taken into custody following a shooting spree targeting a family in southern Illinois that left five people dead and two others wounded, authorities said.
The 15- and 16-year-old suspects were arrested on July 12 at Frank Holten State Park, a recreation area near the city of East St. Louis, according to the Illinois State Police. The suspects were apprehended after state police officers executed a precision immobilization technique, or PIT, maneuver on a vehicle that one of the suspects was driving.
During a brief news conference, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said the shootings unfolded at three locations within a few miles of one another and targeted members of the same family.
“At least seven members of the targeted family were shot at multiple locations in the East St. Louis area, and as of right now, five victims have been confirmed deceased,” Kelly said, adding that the two other victims were seriously injured.
At least one of the suspects is related to the victims, according to Kelly. State police declined to provide further details on the suspects and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Kelly noted that state police are working with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office and will seek charges against the suspects. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
East St. Louis is a city in St. Clair County, Illinois, and has a population of nearly 18,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The city is located across the Mississippi River from downtown St. Louis.
Victims slain in shooting spree identified
State police identified the five people killed as Cherie L. May, 49; Devin D. May, 24; Patricia A. May, 74; Quentin L. Thompson, 21; and Shania W. Thompson, 25.
One victim was killed near North 39th Street and Summit Avenue, three were killed at the Samuel Gompers Homes, and another died at Jones Park, according to Kelly.
The two other victims were wounded at Jones Park and survived, Kelly said. They sustained serious injuries and were being treated at a hospital in St. Louis.
“These alleged acts of horrific violence, taking this number of lives, here in this community it’s terrible. It’s evil, but it will not keep this city down,” Kelly said.
Latest domestic-related shooting
The incident in East St. Louis is the latest domestic-related shooting to occur in the United States in recent months.
A man killed four people, including his parents, brother, and his brother’s girlfriend, in a shooting at the family’s home in suburban Detroit before surrendering to police on June 9, authorities said. At the time, police said the suspect had a “contentious relationship” with his parents.
On June 1, a 52-year-old man killed six members of his family in a shooting spree across a small city in eastern Iowa in an apparent domestic dispute, according to local police. The suspect killed himself when confronted by officers, police said.
In May, the Houston Police Department said it was investigating a murder-suicide after four relatives were found fatally shot in their home. Authorities later reported that evidence indicated a 52-year-old man had shot his wife and two children before shooting himself.
A community in northwest Louisiana was rocked by a mass shooting in April that left eight children dead. At the time, the Shreveport Police Department said the suspected gunman killed seven of his own children and injured his wife and another woman.
That same month, authorities said former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before killing himself while the couple was involved in a “complicated or messy” divorce. Police said the couple’s teenage son and daughter were at the home at the time of the incident but were not harmed.
Domestic violence in the United States
According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, domestic violence is a “public health crisis, and, given the accessibility and availability of guns in America, this violence is often perpetrated with a firearm.”
Researchers have found that almost half of all women murdered in the United States are killed by a current or former intimate partner, the center states on its website. Of those cases, the center said over half involved a firearm.
The center also noted that about 68% of mass shooting cases that occurred from 2014 to 2019 included a perpetrator who either killed family or intimate partners, or had a history of domestic violence.
A 2023 investigation from the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, identified at least 227 family annihilation cases across the United States from 2020 to April 2023, resulting in 754 deaths. The newspaper’s analysis found such killings occurred on average once every five days.
The investigation described family annihilations as among the most extreme forms of domestic violence. It also found that family annihilators killed themselves in 64% of the cases.
Contributing: Mary Claire Molloy, Indianapolis Star
Illinois is full of small towns where the downtown square still serves as the heart of the community. Many are centered on a historic courthouse and ringed by brick buildings, local shops, and cafes. Festivals and farmers’ markets still fill these gathering spaces through the year. The squares feel personal and walkable, keeping an unhurried rhythm that makes them easy to explore. Each one has its own personality shaped by history and local culture.
Galena
This town is one of the best-known towns in Illinois, known for its beautifully preserved 19th-century downtown and dramatic hillside setting. With a population of just a few thousand, the entire town feels like a historic postcard, especially along Main Street, where brick buildings, antique shops, and locally owned boutiques line the steep, walkable streets. The architecture is remarkable and among the best preserved in the Midwest, giving the town a timeless, almost cinematic atmosphere.
Visitors can spend hours exploring the downtown shops, tasting local food, and learning about history at the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Site. Scenic overlooks above the town offer wide views of the river valley, and seasonal events like holiday walks and fall festivals make the square feel even more alive. Galena is especially popular for weekend trips because it combines history, scenery, and a strong small-town identity that makes individuals feel at home.
Woodstock
This town is a classic courthouse-square place with strong Victorian-era character and a lively downtown centered around its historic square. The centerpiece is the Woodstock Opera House and the surrounding courthouse square, which has remained visually consistent for over a century. The town is also famous as the filming location for the movie “Groundhog Day,” which adds a unique cultural layer to the experience.
Things to do in Woodstock include walking the squares’ boutique shops and cafes, visiting the Opera House for unique and entertaining performances, and exploring the filming locations scattered around downtown. The town also hosts farmers’ markets, festivals, and seasonal events that keep the square active year-round. It feels both historic and lively, making it one of the most balanced small-town downtowns in Illinois.
Petersburg
This town is small and quiet, located in central Illinois, with a population of just a few thousand people. Its courthouse square is simple but handsome, surrounded by small shops, cafes, and antique stores that reflect its deeply local character. The pace here stays unhurried, and the town feels more like a preserved community hub than a tourist destination.
Visitors can explore the square, enjoy local diners, and browse antique shops, but the biggest draw is its connection to Abraham Lincoln’s history. Nearby New Salem State Historic Site lets visitors step into a recreated pioneer village where Lincoln once lived. The mix of calm downtown life and major historical significance gives Petersburg a unique and intriguing identity among Illinois towns.
Mount Carroll
This town is one of the most architecturally impressive towns in Illinois, with a downtown that feels like a preserved 1800s historic district. The entire square is surrounded by ornate brick buildings, giving it a rich, old-world environment. With a population of around 1,500, it is quiet, walkable, and deeply rooted in history.
Things to do include exploring antique shops, visiting local cafes, and walking the surrounding residential streets filled with historic homes. Unlike more commercialized towns, Mount Carroll feels peaceful and authentic, making it ideal for visitors who enjoy architecture, photography, and quiet exploration.
Princeton
This town offers a lively but still small courthouse square surrounded by antique stores, boutiques, and locally owned restaurants. With a population of under 10,000, it serves as a hub for the surrounding farming communities, giving it a steady flow of local activity without losing its character. The downtown area is especially known for its welcoming, community-focused feel.
Visitors can shop in antique malls, dine in cozy and relaxing cafes, and attend seasonal festivals that often take over the square. Nearby attractions like the Red Covered Bridge add a scenic countryside element to the experience, making Princeton a mix of historic downtown appeal and rural Illinois beauty.
Clinton
This town has a traditional Midwestern courthouse square that feels clean, simple, and welcoming. Its center is a foundation surrounded by small businesses that serve both locals and visitors passing through central Illinois. With a population of 7,000, it maintains a close-knit community environment.
Things to do include walking around the square, visiting local shops and cafes, and exploring the DeWitt County Museum for a deeper look at the town’s history. Clinton is not heavily tourist-driven, which gives it an authentic everyday feel that reflects small-town Illinois life.
Dixon
This beautiful town has a scenic stretch of the Rock River and a downtown that blends history, culture, and natural beauty. The square and surrounding streets include murals, shops, and cafes, while the riverfront adds a peaceful, open atmosphere. With a population of around 15,000, it is larger than some of the other towns but still retains a strong small-town identity.
Visitors can explore the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, walk along the riverfront parks, and browse downtown shops and restaurants. The combination of presidential history and river scenery makes Dixon stand out as both educational and visually appealing.
Edwardsville
This town has one of the most active and developed town squares on this list, while still maintaining a historic courthouse-centered layout. Located near the St. Louis metro area, it has a population of around 26,000 residents and serves as a regional hub with restaurants, cafes, and shops surrounding the square. Despite its growth, it still holds onto its small-town character through community events and preserved architecture.
Visitors can enjoy dining downtown, attending farmers’ markets, and walking through the courthouse square during festivals and concerts. The town also offers nearby trails and parks, making it a great mix of outdoor recreation and downtown appeal. Edwardsville shows how a town square can stay relevant while adapting to modern growth.
Where The Square Still Matters
Overall, these Illinois towns show just how diverse and meaningful small-town squares can be. Some feel frozen in time with preserved architecture and quiet streets, while others are active hubs of local life filled with entertaining events and commerce. What they all share is a strong sense of place, where the town square is not just a location, but the identity of the community itself.
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Illinois4 minutes ago2 teens hospitalized after being rescued by bystanders from Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park near Zion
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