U Of I Expected To Boost Arena Renovation Budget

CHICAGO (AP) -- University of Illinois trustees are expected to agree to increase the budget for renovating the State Farm Center in Champaign by $4.5 million.

Trustees are also expected to agree to a raise for head basketball coach John Groce when they meet Thursday in Chicago.

The basketball arena's renovation budget would increase from $165 million to $169.5 million if the trustees agree. The extra money would cover additional costs related to a new scoreboard, video boards, marquee and other items.

Work on the arena has started and is expected to be finished in late 2016.

Groce would see his pay increase by $100,000 a year to $1.7 million. His contract would also be extended by a year through 2018-19.

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