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    • The chief financial officer of Dixon, Ill., has been put on unpaid leave after she was arrested by FBI agents and charged with defrauding the city of $3.2 million and misappropriating another $30 million in city funds.

      The arrest of Rita Crundwell, who was charged with a single count of wire fraud, has shaken the northwest Illinois town, which has a population of just under 16,000, according to the Chicago Tribune. Authorities say Crundwell stole the funds over six years to support her luxurious lifestyle.

      Crundwell, an award-winning quarter horse breeder, spent the money on jewelry, a motor home, and her horse farms in Wisconsin, reports the Tribune.

      Federal agents seized the contents of two bank accounts, seven trucks and trailers, three pickups, a $2.1 million motor home, and a Ford Thunderbird convertible -- all of which were purchased with illegal proceeds, according to federal authorities.

      Dixon Mayor James Burke today told an audience of reporters and citizens that independent

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    • Bakery sues over ‘cinnamon bomb’ heist

      The secret behind the cinnamon bomb has gone missing, and its Evanston, Ill., owner wants it back. And, she's suing to get it.

      Susan Davis Friedman, owner of the Fraiche Bakery Cafe, filed a lawsuit against a chef, who resigned two weeks ago and later took two recipe binders, reports the Chicago Tribune. Among the missing recipes is one for the cinnamon bomb.

      The chef, who was not identified by the Tribune, says in an affidavit quoted by the Tribune that if Friedman wanted the recipes, "Why didn't she make copies?"

      While that's a good question, Friedman's attorney (and husband) Benson Friedman said the recipes belong to Fraiche just like the work of a chemist belongs to his boss.

      The lawsuit states the recipes "were developed, assembled tested and honed over the course of 3 ½ years. That work cannot be readily reproduced. The damage to Fraiche's goodwill from the inability to offer these items would be irreparable because it cannot be measured in money damages."

      A hearing is

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    • Emanuel working on ‘Fenway plan’ for Wrigley

      How's this for messing with tradition at Wrigley Field: a Jumbotron in right field?

      It could happen as part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "Fenway Plan" to wring $150 million in increased advertising and sponsorship revenue from Wrigley Field, and relaxing the ballpark's landmark status, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

      Crowded rooftop bleachers outside Wrigley Field (AP File Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

      The plan also calls for more outfield signage, street closings on Sheffield and Waveland, sponsored entrance archways, more concerts and football games, and a stadium club, restaurant, and premium-priced seats.

      >>> See Wrigley Field slideshow on Flickr

      Emanuel's goal, according to the newspaper report, is to renovate Wrigley without socking it to taxpayers — certainly a noble aim.

      And while the renovations look to benefit the Cubs (and taxpayers), they may not be so beneficial to certain neighboring businesses that profit from their rooftop views of games.

      One sports marketing expert, Marc Ganis, suggested that revenue-sharing agreements between the team and owners of

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    • By Jeff Stacklin, Yahoo! Local Editor

      A pair of international ATM "skimmers" has been arrested in Chicago, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

      It's a crime that's gotten the attention of local and federal authorities, especially as more and more people regularly use credit and debit cards for daily purchases.

      File photo: woman at ATM (ThinkStock)

      Police believe the two men, identified as Negru Raul, 25, and Vasile Dobos, 23, are part of a Romanian financial-crime cell, according to the newspaper. They are charged with felony identity fraud and are being held on immigration detainers.

      Thus far, 16 victims have been identified, and $7,000 has been recovered along with more than 200 gifts cards. The total theft could reach $50,000.

      The Sun-Times notes that while police were arresting Raul and Dobos on Monday, other thieves hit a downtown ATM, but officers were not able to catch them.

      The FBI reports that "ATM skimming is a favorite activity of Eurasian crime groups." Thus, the bureau often partners with the U.S.

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    • By Jeff Stacklin, Yahoo! Local

      It's probably appropriate that the Lollapalooza organizers announced the lineup for this summer's festival this week -- days before the next class is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

      Guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys performing at Madison Square Garden …

      At the top of the Lollapalooza bill sits Black Sabbath, a 2006 inductee into the Rock Hall, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which will be inducted Saturday as part of this year's Rock Hall induction class.

      Retro rock fans will especially appreciate Sabbath, which will feature original bandmates Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, according to Chicago Tribune music writer Greg Kot.

      Kot points out that this year' s Lollapalooza lineup has a nice mix of retro -- not only the Chili Peppers and Sabbath, but headliners Black Keys and Jack White also "update classic, guitar-based blues and rock from the '60s and '70s."

      But Lollapalooza would not be Lollapalooza without more contemporary, cutting-edge acts. Enter the youngsters, Kot says:

      "But

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