An Urbana woman has started an online petition asking local government officials to reopen the emergency shelter beds at the TIMES Center, citing the tax dollars used to build the center for that purpose. But the executive director of Rosecrance Champaign-Urbana, the non-profit that owns and operates the facility, says that's no longer a possibility.

The head of the former Community Elements says they plan to expand their substance abuse treatment services in Champaign-Urbana, now that they have merged with Rockford-based Rosecrance.

The state budget impasse is forcing Champaign’s Community Elements to make another round of cutbacks in its programs for the homeless this month.

Rockford-based Rosecrance, which started in 1916, is in the process of merging with Community Elements in Champaign as a way for providing greater behavioral health coverage for Champaign County.  The agreement is expected to become formal on July 1, 2016.