Decades of campaign contributions are finally paying off for Ameren Corporation. The energy utility company received $1 billion in stimulus funds August 5 to revamp a coal power plant in Meredosia, Illinois. The 60-year-old plant was shut down last year after Ameren couldn’t find buyers. It will now be retrofitted to capture more carbon dioxide with less emissions. A 175 mile pipeline will be constructed to connect to a plant in Mattoon, Ill that will act as a repository. The Energy Department estimates 1 million tons of captured carbon dioxide would be injected into the ground yearly. more ›

• A First Amendment battle is brewing in Buffalo Grove where a village trustee is trying to track down an internet commenter who said something nasty about her teenage son.
• Alleged mobster Rudolph C. "Rudy" Fratto pleaded guilty to tax evasion.
• Chicago-based United Airlines is facing a fine of almost $4 million for a safety violation; specifically, "operating one of its Boeing 737 aircraft on more than 200 flights with shop towels covering openings near where oil collects in the bottom of the engine instead of using protective caps required by the carrier's maintenance procedures." Damn.