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High Gas Prices Hit Businesses, Non-Profits Hard

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Climbing gas prices are putting the pinch on Chicago-area businesses and non-profits.

Whether it's transporting prom-goers or prepared meals, it's taking a bite out of the bottom line.


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David, who owns Luxus Limos based in Schaumburg, plans to install GPS units in some of his vehicles to save money and gas by avoiding traffic and unnecessary idling.

He says it costs about $230 to fill the tank in of one of his stretch limos or party buses, which carry 16-28 people and get five or six miles to the gallon.

Mitch Bruski, CEO of the Kenneth Young Center in Elk Grove Village, is worried higher gas prices mean fewer people are willing to help deliver meals on wheels.

The center uses a van to deliver 30,000 meals a year to elderly people, but many of the meals are dropped at sites where volunteers pick them up and take them the rest of the way.

The limo company plans to impose a fee if gas hits $5 a gallon.

The federally funded meals on wheels can't do that and must look to Washington or donors for more money.

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