Illinois Utility Watch: Illinois AG Kwame Raoul’s office reached a settlement with Nicor Gas that would cut the company’s requested rate increase by 63%—about $140 million—if regulators approve, lowering the expected monthly bill impact to roughly $2 for residential customers. Chicago Development & Retail: West Loop’s first Aldi is one step closer to reality after Mavrek Development broke ground on Julep West Loop, a 25-story mixed-use tower with 380 apartments (76 affordable) anchored by a 22,000-square-foot Aldi. Public Safety & Downtown Commerce: Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says a targeted Magnificent Mile enforcement effort is working, with daily patrols, 100+ arrests so far this year, and a reported drop in crime alongside falling vacancy rates. Local Housing & Neighborhood Pressure: River North residents say a long-troubled alley behind closed businesses is driving break-ins, drug activity, trash and rat problems, with police reporting 255 crimes over two years on the two blocks. Healthcare Privacy: Democratic lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to pause a new emergency-room surveillance effort that would collect identifiable patient health data for analysis far beyond the agency’s mission. Business & Tech: Valley National Bank launched Valley Foundry, a platform aimed at accelerating adoption of AI, cybersecurity and data analytics through partnerships with startups and fintechs. Education & Cost: A new GMAC report finds the total cost of a top MBA can range from under $45,000 to well over $280,000, with location driving most of the price gap. Agriculture & Energy Deals: A mid-year Illinois survey of farm managers found 48% of managed farmland entered new wind or solar agreements in the first half of 2026.