In order to complete masonry repair, Hankins Masonry will close one northbound lane of Randolph Street between Park Street and Church Street. Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in the area. The closure will begin on Monday, January 8, and will reopen on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
In order to complete pavement patching, Stark Excavating will close one eastbound lane of Kirby Avenue between Lincoln Road and Prospect Avenue. Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in the area. The closure will begin on Friday, January 5, 2024, and will reopen on Monday, January 8, 2024.
On December 14, 2023 the Equity and Engagement Department in collaboration with the Campus Community Compact hosted a small business networking event at Neil Street Blues.
On December 17, 2023, the Green Healey Mckinley Chicago (GHMC) neighborhood group hosted an evening of luminaries and caroling. The group used the City’s small grant program to cover the costs of luminary bags, sand, and candles. Several neighbors filled the bags with sand and candles while others placed them along the sidewalks throughout the neighborhood and lit the candles. Neighbors then gathered in a backyard to enjoy treats and listen to carols performed by the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana.
On December 16, 2023, Neighborhood Services held the Q4 Neighborhood Leaders Huddle. The quarterly huddles will take the place of the monthly neighborhood leaders meetings. The huddles help keep our neighbors abreast of upcoming events and projects, as well as community partner services and resources with presentations from staff and local community partner agencies.
The Code Compliance Division responded to a complaint of tarps and refuse at the former O’Charley’s restaurant property. The inspector found two people living outside of the building.
On December 13, 2023 community members were invited to participate in the first ever ‘Day of Forgiveness’ in Champaign County. This Day of Forgiveness began the night before when families impacted by gun violence were able to have a meal with Dr. Tony Davis, a gun violence survivor himself, to discuss grief and the journey of forgiveness.
On December 13, 2023 the Champaign County Community Coalition hosted their “Year in Review” meeting with a special guest Dr. Tony Davis. This end of year event was a celebration with music and holiday treats.
The Equity and Engagement Department was excited to host 4 interns this semester through the U of I’s School of Social Work, Community Learning Lab (CLL).
On December 11, 2023 staff from the Equity and Engagement Department attended an all day workshop hosted by the U of I School of Social Work. Inspired by community partner feedback, the event focused on grant-writing and include a portion on utilizing AI for productivity and grant-writing. More than 50 people were in attendance for this workshop was designed to help human service providers navigate the process of applying for grants more confidently. The portion on AI showcased, amongst other things, how AI can assist with proofreading, changing the tone on exciting copy, functioning as a idea board, and much more.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Countywide Celebration is set to be hosted January 14, 2024 at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at 5:00 PM. This event honors the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., while acknowledging organizations and individuals upholding his ideals and principles to better serve our community.
The City of Champaign’s Holiday Tree Collection Program collection date has been set as Monday, January 8, 2024. This free collection program is available to all residential properties within the City’s corporate limits.
On Giving Tuesday, November 28, Champaign Police joined area law enforcement and the Eastern Illinois Foodbank for a “Stuff the Squad” community food drive. Four local agencies – Champaign PD, Urbana PD, University of Illinois PD, and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office – participated in the friendly competition to collect non-perishable food items.
On Dec. 8, City Manager Dorothy Ann David announced that she has appointed Andy Quarnstrom to serve as the City of Champaign’s next Fire Chief. Quarnstrom has served at the Champaign Fire Department for more than 26 years and is currently the Acting Deputy Fire Chief of Operations. He has also served as the elected City of Champaign Township Supervisor since 2013, a position he intends to resign from to focus on his new responsibilities. Quarnstrom will assume his new duties as Fire Chief on March 1, 2024, or upon the Township Board’s appointment of a replacement Township Supervisor, whichever is sooner.
In order to complete pavement patching, AT&T and Western Utility will close one lane of Washington Street between Neil Street and Hickory Street. The closure will begin on Wednesday, December 13, and will reopen on Friday, December 15, 2023, weather permitting. An eastbound lane and a westbound lane will be maintained in the area. Traffic lanes will shift around the construction area.
The Champaign Fire Department’s Building Safety Division recently issued the following building permits for projects with an estimated construction value of $250,000 or more.
Champaign Police were dispatched at 8:54 p.m. on November 26, 2023, to the 500 block of N. Edwin Street for a report of a shooting with injuries. On-scene, officers located a 42-year-old male victim from Champaign with a non-life-threatening graze wound to the head. Officers and personnel from the Champaign Fire Department immediately rendered aid on-scene until the victim could be transported to an area hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
In order to complete sanitary sewer connection at 1002 W. Beardsley Avenue, Miller Enterprises will close Beardsley Avenue between McKinley Avenue and Willis Avenue.