Governor's budget cuts hurt area agencies

CHAMPAIGN – As utility bills mounted this summer, Restoration Urban Ministry's leaders held out hope for a lifeline from the state: more than $150,000 to install energy-efficient water heaters, heating and cooling units.

The grant would ease a financial crisis for the Christian-based homeless shelter, which saw its monthly bill skyrocket to $6,800 last February when Ameren's new electric rates took effect – a 150 percent increase.

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• Two Champaign men arrested on drug charges
• Former teacher adjusting well to SJ-O principal position
• Group will address Monticello class size problems
• Two men with handgun rob Champaign motel
• $5,000 Lowes grant to go for sprucing up school courtyards
• Start of school a success for new first-grade teacher
• Literacy grant to boost preschools in Danville
• UI researchers giving molecules a light push
• Obituaries