Results tagged “peoplesgas”

Chicago police have an old problem on their hands this holiday season: metal theft. A combination of rising copper and aluminum prices and the declining economy has created an increase in the theft of these metals especially. Thieves are stealing everything from sewer covers to the wiring inside gas meters and trying to cash them in at city scrap metal facilities. Many of these types of thefts cause serious safety hazards. Bonnie Johnson of People's Gas said, "The mouth (of the meter) that's going into the home is no longer controlled which could cause a gas explosion." The CPD has created a task force and a public service announcement notifying Chicagoans and asking for our help – and scrap metal recyclers have been warned not to take sewer covers and fire hydrants in exchange for cash, or they will incur a hefty fine.

"That's been the age-old problem," Deputy Chief Daniel Dugan said. "You would see scrappers taking fire hydrants. You should know this is property belonging to a municipality."

Continue reading "Heavy Metal"

Even though Barack Obama came in second last night in New Hampshire, he's still number one in Chicago. In fact, the City by the Lake loves Obama so much that we're throwing him a $1000-a-plate fundraiser "Welcome Home" dinner this Thursday. Peoples Gas Co. President Desiree Rogers will be hosting Obama in her Gold Coast home on January 10. Also listed on the invitation are some of Obama's more monied backers, including developer Neil Bluhm, Commonwealth Edison President Frank Clark, Hyatt Hotels heiress Penny Pritzker, Ariel Capital Management founder John Rogers Jr., and Democratic money man Lou Sussman. One-time rival for US Senate and #1 Obama Superfan Dan Hynes is also listed on the invite.

The Museum of Science and Industry announced today that a fully-functional, three-story "green" home will be built just east of the museum on its Jackson Park grounds in Hyde Park this spring. The foundation is currently being laid, and it will be open to the public from May 8, 2008 through January 4, 2009. The 2,500-square-foot home will exhibit some of the latest environmentally-friendly technologies and offer a primer on incorporating these innovations into our homes.

Hey there, little buckaroos! We sure do have us a whole herd a political tidbits to round up, so let's saddle up and git a rollin'! Mayor Daley has nothing but good things to say about convicted patronage chief Robert Sorich. In a press conference this week, he said they were all "fine young men," citing his personal knowledge of their families. He went to great pains, however, to avoid passing judgment over Sorich's 48-month...

Friday's Critical Mass photo via wvallen.

Still waiting for that $100 refund from Peoples Energy? Yeah, so are we. And it seems that we'll be waiting a little longer while they haggle with the Illinois Commerce Commission over the wording of the settlement in which they agree to reimburse natural gas customers $100 million, or $100 each, for allegedly overcharging them between 2000 and 2004.

Chicagoist has previously discussed how working for the Department of Water Management seems to be a non-stop party. From fat overtime checks to gambling during work and drug rings, the Water Department is the place to be!