Power Woes

One Urbana woman says the growing cost of power is causing her big headaches. Lana Wegeng is disabled and says the rising rates, coupled with her limited mobility, are making it hard to get by. Wegeng says she is worried about what will happen this Summer when the temperatures climb and she can't afford to cool her house. Her rates recently tripled, going from an average of $94 to $335 and she does not qualify for any local or federal help. She says she can't go to a cooling center because the bathrooms aren't set up for people in wheelchairs. So she fears it will get too hot, which could lead to health problems. Wegeng says she was angered the State Senate voted the apple a state fruit before going on break instead of voting on the power rate issue and wants to see action. "I want to see our senators be more responsible with their time in office. Don't worry about voting in an apple when you've got people out there wondering will I lose my house over this, will I suffocate this summer?" State Senator Mike Frerichs says it only took two minutes to vote for the state fruit and there have been many negotiations between Ameren and the Senate. He says he is using his time off to talk with constituents and take stories like this back to the state capitol. But Wegeng says until she sees some kind of relief she will continue to worry about what is next for her.