I like that line about the "spokeswoman who refused to give her name would not comment on the auction or what the effect of the sale would be on the company." Now THAT's real reporting.

Hopefully there will be a company in there that understands people are going through hard times and not charge $2 for a pack of gum!!!!!!!!!!!

Mags

And what bout the people who work there Maureen. They all maybe out of a job and your worried about payin 2dollars for a pack of gum. Here's my theory then, dnt shop there!!

I sure hope the properties don't get run down or vacant. They always were well kept and looked nice in the neighborhood.

The one in Orland Hills is a eye sore. It looks like a flea market. Pallets of stuff all over, dumpster by the pumps. Most gas stations put their regular gas price as the top price on the road signage. Gas City would put the E85 stuff which is cheaper and no one I know ever buys. I wonder how many unsuspecting consumers they sucked in thinking they were getting a good deal only to find out they are buying some of the most expensive gas out there. It was rare to get a thank you from a employee.

Gas City has been, by far, the best gas & retail vendor in the area. BP, Mobile & Shell aren't even in the same league. I hope they don't get busted up into mini chains & owner operator locations. You could always count on them being well stocked, clean & well managed.

....."being well stocked, clean & well managed.." and they didn't pay their bills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure, but my guess is that a lot of people may lose their jobs.. and this isn't the beginning of that.. I don't know the whole story but I worked there for 23 years (in the office) and lost my job almost a year ago, along with 5 other valued employees.. whose jobs were "eliminated". There is always good and bad to say in any story but they were a great company to work for while I was there and I'm very sad to see this happen. I've been very fortunate to finally find a job.. after being unemployed for 10 months. This economy is TERRIBLE and had a lot to do with what happened to Gas City and I feel bad for my former coworkers who may possibly lose their jobs.

So what does this mean for all the employees??

@Joanna: Your last comment was deleted because Patch does not tolerate that type of speech in it's comments.

@jim: It's unknown right now what this will mean for the employees of the stations. That will depend on the individual buyers and what they decide to do with the stations. There will be some time before all the sales are final.

As for Gas City employees, they're fate depends on the fate of the company. That will be clearer once the sales are finalized.

Joe Vince
Frankfort Local Editor

Lots of sour grapes from lots of people. FYI....Bill didn't bid so why keep on complaining about the guy?

All of the employees will be dealing with different "owners" who had nothing to do with Billy Bob.

As an employee my concern is that we are being kept in the dark. We don't know who the new owners are. We don't know any of the dates when transitions will take place. Will we have job security, benefits? Will are salaries stay the same. These are the questions employees are asking.

The current state of the economy is alot worse than what is being reported ! It was always comforting to see a private company compete in a corporate enviroment ! My heart aches for all of these obviously dedicated employees of Gas City !

Roberta
I am a gas city employee's no reason to trash the man who sign's my paycheck everyone in life makes mistake's if we did not make mistake's we would live in a prefect world. last year we started cutting back corporate employee's a lot of them lost there job's it was a said time then and i felt bad for them employee's.Me being in the same boat now I can only take one day at a time.Hopefully with the new companies that purchased us we will stay on with them. I know a lot of the employee's that work for gas city and one thing I can say these people are dedicated to there job's, they are hard working people with families and have put in a lot of year's with gas city. Time will tell what will happen with gas city right now it is a waiting game no reason to trash his wife either they are wonderful people and have done a lot for their community.Can yo say that about your company?.

The stations were very well kept, had VERY HIGH PRICES and the owner was not my favorite person. Had some dealings with him years ago and he felt he was better than everyone else. I feel for the employess, but hopefully the new owners will treat them fairly and with respect.

Dear Harry Cox (a.k.a. The Grammar Police),
How wonderful that you use perfect grammar. Does it make you feel good to criticize those who do not? Many of us are using smart phones to comment and might flub a key or two. Unfortunately, one cannot edit these posts once they are submitted. I think your time would be better spent commenting on issues rather than the minutiae of others' grammar.

The Patch does not believe in freedom of speech? Guess I'll stick to 'Yahoo'!

Commenters, let me interject. I will remind all of you, once again, to stick to the subject matter at hand. If it does not relate to a story on this site, it does not have a place here. If your comment does not reflect the standards in our Terms of Use, it will be removed. The Terms of Use are clearly stated by following the link at the bottom of the homepage. I encourage you to read them well before commenting. Please be respectful of the rules—and each other. Should you violate these very basic standards (no profanity; be respectful of others) Patch will delete your comments or ban you from participating. Please respect Patch as a community platform. Be kind to each other.

Lauren Traut
Editor,
Oak Forest Patch

No matter what anyone says or thinks, many people are at risk here, from the owner to the person who sweeps the floor. Not the time to bash anyone. Perhaps, take the time to keep all these folks in your thoughts and prayers.
Good Luck to Mr. McEnery, all his staff & employees. God Bless America

Gas City is a TERRIBLE place to work. They keep everyone in line by making them feel, daily, that they will lose their jobs. They have NO benefits other than crummy insurance, oh yeah, and the free coffee of pop for employees. Whoo Hoo.

Everyone:

Now might be a good time to review Patch's <a href="http://frankfort.patch.com/terms">Terms of Use</a> when it comes to comments. We encourage you to share your opinions and debate. But do so in a respectful manner. You're not helping your cause with inappropriate language and remarks.

Joe Vince
Frankfort Local Editor

It aint over till the fat lady sings and none of those bidders own anything with the Gas City name on it until their closing dates at their banks.
At least that's what I learned whenever I bought something.

Gas city has only owned our truck stop for a few years....a truck stop that was privately owned for approx. 40 years. This place has been a second home to many. We have employees that have been here for 25 years or more. We have served truckers as well as the local community since before I was even born. All I know is Gas city has come in here and stripped this place of everything that put us on the map. My theory is that this was a purchase soley for robbing Peter to pay Paul. It is going to be devistating if our stop doesnt survive this. We have many single parent employees here andmany that are the only income for their families. We are a small poor county and our store employs about 70 people. This is more than scary for us. I am sure McEnery has his stash safely hidden, knowing what the end result is going to be.....not giving us any warning for our sakes. OUR STOP IS HISTORICAL, and Irreplaceble.....shameful that it has come to this. People worry about the McEnery....give me a break....he has his $

X_Driver
I worked for the man for 28 years and my life was centered around this company. I sacrificed a lot to keep my job. I saw this man go from someone who was just like us to a man who felt was above everyone else. It was all about power for him. One day before the end for us, he told us the company was closing the doors. 60 drivers out of work . Well all I can say is what goes around comes around. Everything thats happening to him now is what he deserves. Now he's coming down to our level again. And it ain't over yet. The NLRB is going after him. Say tuned. We'll see who has more power. It was pitiful to watch this man at the hearing. Every question about his company was answered with "I dont know". He claimed he had no idea who made decisions for the company. He had no idea who paid the bills for the company. Believe me, this man was aware of everything going on in the company. No decision was made without his approval. I hope he gets all that's coming to him. If you did'nt believe in KARMA before whatch. This is a perfect example.

let me tell you something people....quit trashing if you think this way then IN THE FUTURE DO NOT BUY A GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT,DO NOT FLY UNITED AIRLINES DO NOT EAT GIORDANO'S PIZZA,DO NOT BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT,DONT READ TRIBUNE NEWSPAPER OR SUNTIMES.....LAWS ARE THERE TO USE...COMPANIES USE THEM.....IF YOU DIDNT LIKE THE PEOPLE AT GAS CITY THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE QUIT......THE INTERNET IS LIKE THE HIGH SCHOOL WASHROOM WALLL YEARS AGO....TOUGH GUYS WOULD ALSO LEAVE MESSAGES ON WALLS WITHOUT GIVING IDEENTITIES.....

I had an opportunity to work out of the Gas City corporate office for about six months. I was impressed with the company and the hard-working employees. Bill McEnery built a fine company and supported his family and community to the uttermost. I wish the company and the hard-working employees the best! This economy is BAD and we must have HOPE.

I really feel for all the employees who were left high and dry. What I don't understand is how he can owe over a million to the state in taxes and nothing is done. The state is in crisis and here is some revenue and what has been done - nothing. Where is Lisa Madigan and Pat Quinn???? Also - where did he get the money to buy the Creameries back (under Little Billy's name) and how was it possible for him to get some of the Gas Citys back?

Being a former employee myself, I'm glad they're being bought out. I was there for a long time, long enough to let them push me around. I tried jumping through all the hoops and doing everything they asked of me. It was more than necessary being a single mom. I put my pride and sense of self down, and did what I had to do. I had enough though. I left there sick of the "it's not what you know it's who you know" atmosphere. Anyone who has been there long enough knows what I'm saying. Good riddance

red have a nice day........business is not easy ...."its very hard " if you did'nt like it you should have quit a long time ago......i would venture to say the next job you get most likely you will feel the same...look in the mirror and remember what you perceive you will conceive.....attitude baby attitude!!!!!!!!!!!!

From what I have been told these stations will be turned into circle K gas stations and were bought out by the saudis.

Circle K is the Russian, Lukoil conglomerate.

I worked as a manager for gas city for ten years!!! I am very saddened as to what is happening to them. They were very good to me. I left because I had a baby and wanted to stay home. I hope that all of the current employess will still have a job with whoever the new owners may be. Say what you want but I think these are good people and I am very sad as to what is happening.

Too many rumors!! I was told Speedway bought 25 locations.. Time will tell. All of the rumors could be solved if Bill,Len and whoever else involved would just be honest and let their whole staff know whats goin on. Is that too much to ask??? All you gotta do is send out an email!! Stop saying everythings gonna be alright and dont listen to the rumors!! Look around start reading the court papers all of your employees are being sent!! EVERYTHING is not okay! All of us employees deserve the truth. Just my thoughts

You are absolutly rite Donna the employees do deserve to know what is going on!!!! It is not right all the lies they are being told...

That is all I ask for is the respect to have the trueth be told to me and others. After all that is what they expect from us as their employees is honesty, which i have given them. We have the human right to prepare ourselves for whatever may come. I do inderstand that they have to keep these stations running and they are afraid that employees will quit....but all they are worried about right now is how to keep money flowing in for them. I have heard rumors that our store didnt get purchased at all and that the bank is going to close it. Couche-tarde and TA were the leading bids but if thet ended up with 14 diff. buyers I would that betters the odds for people. I dont know who owns cache-tard but they r based out of Canada. For all of you getting hostile at eachother about McEnery's character....I have no doubt that he was a man of integrity and hard work at one point in his life, but money changes people and now he is treating us, who helped work hard to build up his company, like Arrow tkg. treated theirs.

Sorry about my typos....cell phone! Sad thing is the economy is killing more american businesses everyday. We cant expect our employers to have compasion for us....they have to save all they can so their children can still have their silver spoons. Dont feel bad for McEnery and his cuz this isn't his first bankruptcy and he still mainains a business lisence so he will build up again. Just pray that if it a foreign company that becomes your new boss that u still have a job and ur wages dont get hacked down to min. wage. Especially since the government is trying to put a cap on min. wage. Use the insticts that God gave u and do what u have to do for yourselves n ur families. Dont ever count on anyone else giving a crap.

Some family members (those born without silver spoons in their mouth) are being left in the dark too. So don't think you know all that really goes on! Everybody has the right to their opinion but many of your opinions are based on rumors, lies, jealousy and ignorance! You should be more concerned with the economy and the role that the banks played in this whole ordeal instead of wishing bad things on people you don't even really know! I don't just feel sorry for all the Gas City employees but also for all the companies that worked with Gas City that will now lose all that business! Our country is falling apart people...you should put your energy into that!!

Gees....he filed bankruptcy. Millions of companies and individuals file bk every year. He just stretched himself too thin and the banks came after him.

I'm just wondering who he knows at the State of Illinois, Department of Revenue, since owing tax money that he's already collected from the customers and not paid to the state is a criminal offense.

I'm sure you'll hear from your new employer as soon as the deals close. Lukoil is a huge company that bought several of the stores. You'll be fine. Don't know about the rest.

The economy is picking up and it will be fine in a couple of years. Can't say the same about real estate....Another 5-8 years for that segment of the economy to recover. Maybe longer. People who want to buy now have poor credit from the past few years. Worse, if they have good credit, the home doesn't appraise and the people walk. I know. We're looking and we've seen a home that we're looking at go from $550,000 last fall to $500,000 in February, to $475,000 now....and no bidders.

B.F.
Just don't make any sense, but pure negligence, bad decision/s over time, and complacency in operating a business/company. How does one accumulate a debt (accurate figure unknown) of anywhere from 100 to 500 million dollars and not do anything until it is to late. Or is it really late? These type of BIG money games are played all the time with BIG business. I'm sure William, Lenny, and his other brother ( THE McHenry's), and their sons and daughters are taken care of for life, a long time ago! Some will WIN and some will loose. In this situation the winners are the McHenry Families, and like every business that goes belly up, sometimes with all intent, the losers are the existing present employees that made them what they were, at one time a great, and reasonable place to do business with. Somewhere the McHenry's lost there focus on customer satisfaction, not to mention greed of a prospering empire only to lose touch with reality, again the customer. Hence, this is what you have, employees and there families hurt by the mis-management and greed that once was known as the GAS CITY EMPIRE! I wish the best to all the good employees that truely made GAS CITY what is was, and to the rest, generally business owners, U deserve what you sowed.

Well i dont base my opinions on rumors jealousy and ignorance.....i actually read information that is available to the public. McEnery has filed bankruptcy more than once twice and even more than three times. Yes these banks r at great fault too, but when people take what they have for granted and keep wanting more, where does the accountabilty fall. Many businesses my suffer too because of this.....all the vendors who get to eat their losses....Face it bankruptcy may free the corp. but it screws the little man. And the taxes...well that calls for prison if u ask me. Nobody else would get special treatment. Instead the people of Ill will have to suffer. Politicians, greedy corporations,idiots that believe them...shhhh. Birds of a feather.......Karma.

Let me repeat what I printed earlier about the wonderful Gas City employees AND now I'd also like to give a big thumbs up to Pete...this was all caused by greed..and yes many will be effected...but the McEnerys will be fine...where is the justice here? How is it possible to be in Chapter 11, not paying your bills or taxes and still be able to bid on your own properties? If you have the $ for that, why are you in Chapter 11? I think the courts need to be looking into that part, and as for the employees at the store levels...they work their butts off for not much over minimum wage and still take the time to be friendly to their customers everyday. This has NOT been easy for them. I have seen these folks do everything from cleaning windows to shoveling snow, including the store managers as the owners wouldn't hire any services to do these things. This even happened during that huge snow fall this year..... And most of these employees are women..I have also seen upper management come in and berate these very employees in front of anyone with language even I found offensive when things weren't done exactly to their liking or if some $ had to be spent to get the job done..On an extremely windy day, a rather large upper management guy stood by while a woman employee was up on a ladder changing the gas prices on their sign..he didn't lift a finger or even offer to hold the ladder..I have to wonder why these upper management types have been allowed to behave this way in 2011.....

Well Donna you may have worked for his corporation but r u really aware of how many other thing he has been and still is into? Research his name a little deeper and u too can find court documents.

Public information is free and just beause u worked in the offie doesnt make you smarter or even right. Afterall, you seen where ur job was headed right?

Pete, did you ever work for one of his companies? I was under the impression that you were saying that Gas City filed bankruptcy more than once, if you're talking about Bill McEnery, then no I would have no reason to know about him personally or any of his other businesses, because I worked for Gas City. I don't claim to be smarter than anyone Pete, but like alot of other people feel bad for those who may lose their jobs. Like I said previously, I'm glad I lost my job when I did and not now when the company is in worse condition, the people that might be let go of now might not receive a severance package.

I worked for the company for awhile. I've met a lot of good people and some are very good friends of mine. With that said I've seen a lot of stuff that makes you think how this company survived with the way they do stuff, and the sh*t people get away with. There purchasing was terrible and the way they ran the stores in my opinion SUCKED!!! They also let employees who were stealing product and money on a daily basis keep there job. Even with hardcore evidence of them stealing, it did'nt matter they kept there job! I'm talking prob thousands of dollars, and who knows how much in product. These people would have family parties and walk into the stores and take product for the party needs and walk right out saying it was ok! Ghost employees, taking drop envelopes for a night out, that is just the start of it. So Gas City did it to themselves, just think if employees were getting away with it what was the man doing and thinking he was getting away with it. I really do feel bad for the employees if they do lose there job but I will NEVER EVER feel bad for the NO GOOD MCENERY'S

So ... Is there an extention or not

They have everybody so hopeful, what a shameful thing to do

to YDNIC.....I think I know who you are speaking of.........people talk........the story is legendary but weren't there other family members of this person involved too????????

just as i thought cut in pay

So why not just be honest with us (your employees) and tell us whats going on??? we all read the paper & view the internet so why keep telling us that there is a continuance ??? Cmon lets be humane about this we didnt put you in this situation apparently we are the ones who are going to suffer for your mistakes?? is that fair or respectable??? NO IT IS NOT !!! we know whos taking over and here we have to wonder if we are going to have jobs or take pay cuts, at least give us the respect we deserve and come forth and speak the truth !!

It was offical this friday the takeover of all gas city entities where taken over from slick willy and to follow suit itiwill be his heinielicker trucking co also.And also reporation is continuing forward for sixty X DRIVERS of the monies owed to them thru N.L.R.B it appears to the karma trains pulling in to the station! ALL ABOARD MCENERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately there are hundreds of innocent employees on his Karma train that have families to take care of! Thank you for wishing your heartless wish..now my husband willl be unemployed! Be careful...I believe that Karma train is coming your way...

You mean union bosses stick together ! There is no representation anymore !

Was there a picket line set up ? No I didn't think so.

Well, out here in Sierra Vista, AZ, when Gas City came to town a decade or so ago, it helped drive down the chokehold other stations (Circle K, Chevron, Texaco, etc) all had on our town. The past few months, however, it was plain to see Gas City was in trouble as their price for regular was always just a couple cents below Chevron and Shell's price (usually the highest). I see that we will probably get a Valero station now, and they always seem to have consistent low prices. I guess my Gas City rewards card is now doo-doo....and the station (truck stop) up at the 302 exit in Benson AZ on I-10 was ALWAYS high priced, and the Shell station they also owned across the street sold regular for astronomical prices. They heavily invested in a Cracker Barrel clone, "Gracie's Station" there at the 302 exit as well (it had pretty good food but never really took off) and it went under several months ago (as part of this). Word out now is that Cracker Barrel actually will be putting in a restaurant there as we need on on I-10 east of Tucson.....

People seriously need to know what they are talking about before they go making up stuff on here. It sickens me how pathetic most of you are that you will go out of you way to bash people like this! Don't you have anything better to do with your life?

I'm happy to say that on a store level all employees will have jobs with the new owners.(at least with the Speedway stores). They will retain everyone at their current rate of pay and benefits,incentives are much better. Thanks Speedway.

So they shutting down for the 2 weeks to "swap" everything or are they gonna run still during the swap? This is going to happen in 2 to 3 weeks from now.

As far as i know business as usual. Maybe 1-1 1/2 days closed.

All of them except the one in New Lenox at Cedar Rd. I think, Some will be changing over this week into next week. The one in New Lenox will stay as a gas city till the end of the month. They will be shutting off all Eelectronic data services soon (atm,credit cards, points, etc). I used the last of my points today. The one at Laraway and Briggs is already a Shell. It's a gohst town in thier.

Bill McEnery President and his daughter Billy Vice President of Gas City had to stick it to the public one more time before leaving Gas City for good! For failing to give the public enough notice to redeem there gas rewards points before turning over those locations to there new owners. Remember everyone these individuals now operate the local Creamery's fast food locations so do not support there efforts.

The Gas City in Willow Springs shut down yesterday afternoon/evening? Went to get a DD Coffee and they had the lot roped off, Pump nozzles covered with plastic bags & pricing down off the sign. Does anyone know if this station will reopen with new owners? It was also the only place for miles that we could buy gas for the race car. I was not a fan of their higher prices but the store was well kept and a regular stop for coffee. I'm sorry for all the employees and other suppliers that these closing have affected. Nothing but nice folks working at this location.

As an ex-employee of theirs, I will tell you that they were a horrible company with horrible policies. They would have employees drive to other stations and fax in the dollar amount they charged, and then get their prices (2 or more cents higher minimum) in return. Once I had a vehicle from Ohio who stopped at the Clark station (Now Gas Busters, but owned by Gas City) when the price was $3.41. At Shell and BP right down the street (191st & 96th), it was $2.87. I went out there and let them know that they shouldn't stop there -- an employee doing that. It's a shame, they overcharged on merchandise, treated employees like workhorses, and were very unsanitary. The Clark station had dead beetles in the candy, and crickets in the cabinets, and dead something-or-another's inside of the beef jerky wrappers. I say good riddiance. It was a very pleasing feeling to see a "Speedway" tarp over the predatory, price-fixing, unhealthy, ungrateful "Gas City" sign that was once there. I bet we'll see prices taper off at this point.

I hope they still keep weenie wednesday. As for all the gripes, y'all should've of planned your education for a real career instead of working at a gas station. Blame yourselves.

HAHAHA go4it let me tell you, I was a manager for Gas City, and continue to be one for Speedway. I make more money in one year than most of my friends that did graduate college. The only difference besides me making more money than them is that I might have to bust my butt a little harder, and I do not have thousands and thousands of dollars in student loans that I am struggling to pay off! Not to bad for an uneducated person if I do say so! PS just so you know, just cause I work at a gas station does not mean I am uneducated or stupid, I graduated in the top 25 percent at Lincoln Way, just chose to go a different route, college is not for everyone!

Hmmm... No college education... making as much if not more than peers with a degree... sounds like a great place to work! I guess Bill McEnery isn't so bad because anyone willing to work hard can make a living thanks to him! Where else can you find that anymore?

if you guys think steel city is the last to close, you better hold on because its gonna be a bumpy ride!

I have spent the last hour reading through all the comments about Gas City. I signed off. Couldn't get it outa my mind, signed back on and I need to express my standing on this issue. Obviously some of these postings were months old. Yet again, obviously, the closings of Gas City's has triggered deep emotions, questioned loyalty, caused judgement upon others, created fabrications of truth and lies and, seems to me, has brought out a lot of ugliness within yourself. ( yourself referring to anyone who has posted) Without tearing into the layers to which has been the cause of the G.C. closings, because there are a lot of layers to why G.C. has closed, I am rather gonna spear head it from the top to which I know to be the absolute best way to look at it. The spear heading from the top begins and ends with YOU. This is your opportunity to better examine yourself. Familiar with throwing of a stone to someone who has done wrong? Well, throw the first stone ONLY if YOU can say I have never cheated, lied, fabricated, hated, stolen, mocked, ridiculed, defamed, used or judged. Yes, thought so. Should make you aware and realize we all should not have much negative to say about anyone. This is an opportunity for all of us to be a better husband, wife, brother, sister, daughter, son, friend, co-worker and boss. This is an opportuntiy to examine yourself and strive to speak truth, be honest, respectful, curtious, positive, knowledgable before judging, wise before spooing hate.

Don't worry about what your neighbor has as much as think about how and what is the best way to provide for yourself and for your family? When change occurs, how will you roll through the change?

I am saddened with the closing of G.C. I lost a client. You and many that you know lost a job. It is not easy to find jobs, but it is possible.

Finally, I have done and will continue to do, from when I first heard about the struggles that G.C. was enduring...pray. Prayer is a blanket of comfort. At first my prayers were for me. Now they are for all of you. I do not apologize for my belief in prayer nor do I apologize for my faith in Christ, as a Christian, this is the best advice for all of you. Through this, you find within yourself comfort and a lesser "desire" to add fire to an already burning fire.

My five years or so with G.C. was pleasant. I enjoyed this client. I will miss this client.

My concern is with YOU. Mock me, bash me, laugh at me? I hope not.

I also do not apologize for errors...typo & such. When you write from the heart the message is what is in question.

~ Rita Lenzi-Stoll ~

Who cares about Gas City. Who used to sell cheap gas early years and now one of the most expensive gas stations...