Area business at odds with state's attorney

Sisler’s Ice and Ice cream in Ohio and three other northern and central Illinois ice companies are the subject of an antitrust lawsuit.  Attorney General Lisa Madigan says the ice providers unlawfully cooperated by divvying up markets, trading customers and sharing price information after the closure of Crystal Lake Ice in 2003.  She says they discouraged customers from switching suppliers by either quoting non-competitive prices or refusing to accept new business.  Madigan is charging the companies with illegal conduct, civil penalties and damages for overcharges on behalf of the state of Illinois.  Sisler’s Karen Anderson says the company has no comment at this time.