The grease will be turned into fuel for Park District vehicles. more ›

As the sun sets on another year, it's a time for reflection and appreciation. We've had a blast covering the news, arts, events, food, drink, and everything in between of Chicago this year and we thank our readers for coming along for the ride. From Obama's campaign to Blago's arrest, this year has given us all sorts of ups and downs, and we're looking forward to another unpredictable and amazing year. Thanks for a fantastic 2008 and we'll see you back here tomorrow morning to get a jump on what promises to be an exciting 2009. more ›

With gas prices finally coming down, the $1 surcharge added in April to help alleviate the financial pressure on cab drivers will be reduced to $0.50 per ride on Friday. The way the surcharge is set up, passengers pay $0.50 a ride if the local price per gallon of gas is at or above $2.70 and $1 if the price is at or above $3.20. Cabs are required to post a placard informing riders of the surcharge; the city began sending out new placards for the new surcharge last week. Locally, the average price of gas is at $3.01 a gallon as opposed to $4.01 a month ago, but still above the $2.89 per gallon price from this time last year. Earlier this fall, cab drivers asked for a fare increase and their wish was granted in the form of a 16 percent fare hike which takes effect sometime early next year. more ›

Amid all the debates about CTA funding and fare increases, we haven’t been paying all that much attention to taxi prices. Many will remember that, on April 28, cab companies were allowed to add a $1 surcharge to offset the high costs of gas, but taxi drivers say that isn’t enough. Not only have gas prices risen 75 cents (or more) a gallon since the surcharge was added, but the surcharge has had some unexpected consequences. Prateek Sampat, spokesman for the United Taxi Drivers Community Council, claims that drivers’ tips have decreased as a result of the added $1 charge. Perhaps the prominently displayed sign has irritated riders? Also, Sampat says, the price of everything has increased in the last year and cab drivers cannot make ends meet. more ›

Yeow. Gas prices are expected to spike in the next few days due to Hurricane Ike, and some analysts are predicting local price increases of 75 cents a gallon in the next 72 hours. [WCBS, AFP] more ›

No updates yet on that proposed mandate which would require Chicago cab companies to convert to hybrid cars, but it seems that a high number of Chicago and other Illinois residents are personally making the switch. While California strongly outpaces all other states for new hybrid vehicle registrations, statewide financial incentives and the price of gas are helping to keep both the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois in the top five on lists for new hybrid sales. more ›

The number of Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers is waning. This trend is another unfortunate side effect of rising gas prices, and is a nationwide problem for Meals on Wheels programs, which typically operate at the county level. Community Nutrition Network, which runs suburban Cook County's Meals on Wheels, hasn’t yet seen a substantial drop in service, since remaining volunteers are offering to drive extra shifts. more ›

Dominick's has jumped aboard the cheap-generic-drugs wagon and is now offering 300 of the most frequently purchased drugs for $4 for a 30-day supply, which the Trib helpfully points out is also $8 for a 60-day supply and $12 for a 90-day one. more ›

Sure, it's stupid, but mama loves a 60 Minutes joke. more ›

Chicago has just been awarded the dubious honor of having the highest gas prices in the nation, according to the latest Lundberg Survey. Area residents are paying an average of $4.07 for a gallon of regular gas, and nearly $4.60 for a gallon of diesel. more ›

Holy cancel that roadtrip, Batman! Gas prices climbed ever-higher today, and analysts say they expect the rise to continue through June. According to the most recent reports from AAA, the average prices for a gallon of regular gas are, solar-powered-drumroll please: $3.51 nationally, $3.65 in Illinois and $3.72 in Chicago. more ›