The University YMCA is hosting a children’s sale on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

Similar to the annual Dump & Run sale, the children’s rummage sale is smaller and more specific, carrying items specifically for kids.

The sale will be at the University YMCA, on corner of Wright and Chalmers, just across from Lincoln Hall, and will take place rain or shine in the University Y’s Murphy Lounge. There will be many brand new, never used and gently worn children’s clothes, toys, games, furniture, books and other miscellaneous items.

Champaign post office to celebrate new superhero stamps

To mark the release of the United States Post Office’s newest line of Marvel super hero stamps, the Champaign post office will host an open house to introduce the stamps and showcase comic book artwork.

Marvel superhero stamps go on sale nationwide this week and will feature famous comic book characters like Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk. Other stamps include classic comic book covers.

In addition to the new heroes stamps, the open house will display the work of comic artist Shane Smith, who will be present.

The open house will be held at the Champaign Post Office, 2001 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign. Stamps can be purchased at any office or online at www.usps.com/shop.

Ill. Senate passes conservation law

Senate Bill 17, the Conservation Stewardship Law, passed the Illinois General Assembly on July 11. The new legislation would protect owners of unproductive lands from property tax increases if they choose to enroll their unimproved properties in a wooded lands assessment program. Landowners with a minimum of five contiguous acres of undeveloped woodlands, prairies, or wet lands would be required to place lands in an approved conservation stewardship plan to be administered by the Department of Natural Resources for a minimum of 10 years. Their managed land would then be assessed at only 5 percent of its market value.

Blagojevich decries Indiana’s lax pollution controls for Lake Michigan

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Governor Rod Blagojevich is criticizing Indiana state officials for letting an oil refinery dump more pollutants in Lake Michigan.

The Democratic governor calls the plan “a major setback” in efforts to clean up the lake after years of neglect.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management approved BP’s request last month to release more ammonia and silt from its refinery in Whiting, Ind. The amount still is within federal guidelines.

Blagojevich urged Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to rescind the permit, which took effect Monday, and said Illinois officials will consider legal action if he doesn’t.

Customers guaranteed $100 off electric bills, says Ameren president

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Ameren customers are guaranteed to get at least $100 off their electric bills this year under a new rate relief plan.

That’s the promise from the president of Ameren Illinois.

Scott Cisel says the $1 billion agreement with lawmakers means the huge price increases that took effect in January will be scaled back. Overall, the average rate increase will drop from 45 percent to 19 percent.

A typical residential customer will get about $130 back this year. Owners of homes that use electric heat will get about $400 back.

Local briefs compiled by Jenette Sturges. National briefs from The Associated Press.