URBANA — After some hesitation and much discussion the Champaign County Board Thursday night approved accepting two federal grants to provide rural transit services in the county.

The board originally failed to pass an ordinance appropriating more than $500,000 for the CRIS rural transit service. A supermajority of 18 votes was needed and the motion received only 17 votes. Seven Republican members of the board voted against accepting the grant.

But board members later voted to reconsider the measure and only five Republicans — Stephanie Holderfield, John Jay, Brad Jones, Steve Moser and Ron Bensyl — opposed the measure.

"Sometimes those folks in Washington are going to wake up and realize we have to stop some of this," said Jay. "I just wonder what happens in that case."

"My concern is we have a deficit in Washington," said Holderfield. "I just do not know that these funds will continue to come to Champaign County."

But Amy Marchand, the CEO of CRIS, said that if federal funding ends, the service would end as well and the county would not be asked to continue the program.

CRIS, which began operating in Champaign County in February, has provided pre-scheduled rides to more than 800 county residents, Marchand said.

The two separate budget amendments approved were for the current fiscal year and the one beginning July 1. Together they totaled more than $1.2 million.

Without any discussion, the board approved an increase in the cost of civil union licenses.

The licenses, now $4, will cost $15 — the same as a marriage license. There also is a $5 surcharge for the state Domestic Violence Fund.

On a separate roll call, the board approved a proclamation designating July as "Respect & Celebrate Civil Unions Month" in the county. Eleven of the 12 board Republicans — all but Alan Nudo of Champaign — voted against the proclamation. All 12 Democrats at the meeting supported the measure.

"There are so many good things out there that we never give due recognition to, such as the servicemen who have served our country well, and longterm marriages and senior citizens who are able to live in their homes by themselves, so I'm not going to support this one," said rantoul Republican Stan James.

"I'm going to support it reluctantly. My reluctance is not based on any lack of enthusiasm for civil unions," said Urbana Democrat Christopher Alix. "I would ask that in the future the county board carefully consider the value of symbolic resolutions that celebrate causes or events rather than specific individuals."

Board Chair C. Pius Weibel's appointment of Christopher White of Fisher to a term on the county forest preserve board was approved. White replaces Robert Toalson, the former Champaign Park District director, on the board.

The board also approved the appointments of Dr. Michael Ruffatto and Dr. John Peterson to the Champaign County Board of Health.