CME Group to Double Stake in Dubai Exchange

CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago-based CME Group says it's doubling its stake to 50-percent in the Dubai Mercantile Exchange. The exchange is a hub of trading for oil contracts in the Persian Gulf. The CME Group said in a statement today that its New York Mercantile Exchange division is raising its stake in the Dubai exchange from 25-percent. The Sultanate of Oman's sovereign wealth fund also is increasing its stake to 29-percent from an undisclosed level.

The statement said the new investment will help the Dubai exchange develop new trading products and services. Trading volumes increased 19-percent on the Dubai exchange last year, with more than 145 million barrels of crude oil delivered. The rest of the Dubai exchange is owned by a host of regional investment funds and international corporations. - http://goo.gl/RcgeA

Governor Quinn's Plan Would Shut Down 14-Facilities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed Illinois budget calls for closing 14 state facilities, including eight run by the Corrections Department. A person who has seen the budget proposal told The Associated Press on Tuesday it would close four facilities run by the Human Services Department and two run by Juvenile Justice, as well as the eight Corrections Department facilities. The targeted Corrections facilities won't all be prisons.

The person was not authorized to discuss the governor's plans publicly and would speak only on the condition of anonymity. The only facilities besides prisons listed on the Corrections Department's website are seven "adult transition centers" for inmates nearing the end of their sentences and various work camps affiliated with prisons. The Democratic governor presents his budget to the General Assembly on Wednesday. - http://goo.gl/aIH3X

22-Year-Old Sandoval Man Identified As Second Victim In Double Fatality Accident South of Vandalia

The second person killed in a fiery head on crash on U.S. 51 two miles south of Vandalia early Sunday morning has been identified.  Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen says dental records during a Monday autopsy confirmed the person killed was 22-year-old Joshua Jezek of Sandoval. 

Bowen says initial information from the accident scene shows Jezek was northbound on U.S. 51 when he crossed the centerline and struck a vehicle driven by 74-year-old Robert Norris of Vernon.  Both Jezek and Norris were pronounced dead on the scene.  Norris' son, Shawn, who was a passenger in his vehicle, was airlifted to a St. Louis Hospital for treatment of injuries. 

The Jezek car burst into flames following impact.  The Vandalia Fire Department extinguished the fire and extricated the victims.  Jezek was badly burned in the fire.  The investigation is continuing by the Fayette County Coroner and Illinois State Police.   - http://goo.gl/ZlJaZ