On February 6, 2024, the Champaign City Council will consider authorizing the settlement of a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the City of Champaign and its police officers by the Estate of Ross Booker. Employed by a tow truck company, Mr. Booker was tragically struck and killed by a passing motorist while cleaning debris at the scene of an accident in March 2022. If approved by the City Council, the $2 million settlement will result in the dismissal of the lawsuit. The proposed settlement amount will be paid from the City’s insurance policies.
The City of Champaign (City) invites your firm to submit a Letter of Interest to provide the City with professional engineering services for Rapid Response Engineering Services. The City intends to use qualification-based selection processes for the procurement of these services (City of Champaign Administrative Policy 2.08). This selection is for three years of service, starting in 2024 and running through 2026.
Champaign County first responders will hold a joint training exercise on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. at First Christian Church (3601 Staley Road, Champaign). The training exercise will conclude at approximately 12:00 p.m. and will help prepare first responders for rapid response emergency scenarios and mutual aid needs that may occur in Champaign County. This is part of a continuing effort to ensure that area first responders are well trained and fully prepared to work cooperatively in addressing major incidents in real time.
Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) voted NO on today's short-term funding bill, which does nothing to address the Biden Border Crisis. Representative Miller released the following statement:
On January 14, 2024, Mikal Washington of the Equity and Engagement Department participated in the 23rd annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
On January 16, 2024, the Trails at Brittany HOA combined a family night social event with their annual HOA meeting. This event was located at Jupiter’s at the crossing. This encouraged entire families to attend the meeting while enjoying pizza and games.
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.
On January 12, 2024, Council Member Alicia Beck and Communications Manager Jeff Hamilton presented at the University of Illinois’ Environmental Leadership Program. Council Member Beck shared several tips for the group to consider when advocating for local policy changes, and Jeff provided an overview of the Council-Manager form of government and how policy issues are brought forward for City Council deliberation. Approximately 25 students attended the presentations in person and several more attended virtually. The students were engaged and asked good questions following each presentation. This is the third year the City has been invited to present information to the group.
On January 8, 2024, staff from the Equity and Engagement Department, aided by the Neighborhood Ambassadors, canvassed the area surrounding Colonial Plaza following a gun violence incident the previous afternoon.
On January 10, 2024, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center (101 Trade Center Dr., Champaign, IL 61820).
Each year, the Cities of Champaign and Urbana come together with Champaign County, the Village of Rantoul, Parkland College and the University of Illinois to host a countywide celebration honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During the ceremony, community members are honored with prestigious awards in recognition of their work to uphold the principles and ideals of Dr. King.
The City of Champaign was recognized as a Certified Welcoming place by Welcoming America. Terri & Carly from Chambana Proud kicked off the new year talking with Rachel Joy from the City of Champaign and Akua Forkuo-Sekyere from the New American Welcome Center who were the driving forces behind the designation.
The Champaign Police Department worked in 2023 to foster community relationships, promote public safety, and prevent and solve crime. Through the City’s efforts, Champaign Police reported a 49.6% reduction in shooting incidents in Champaign, with 65 in 2023 compared to 129 in 2022. This effort represents a further reduction of 74.9% from the 259 shooting incidents in Champaign in 2021. A shooting incident is counted anytime police find evidence that a gun was fired.
The Public Works Department will be installing an all-way stop at John Street and McKinley Avenue in the coming weeks. This intersection had three crashes between May 10 and December 13, 2023, which warranted an all-way stop at this location. The only other crash on record for this intersection occurred in September 2022.
White Construction will close Anthony Drive between Dobbins Drive and Dale Drive. Both eastbound and westbound Anthony Drive traffic will be detoured in the area. The closure will occur on Monday, January 8, 2024, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Access will be maintained to all local properties.
The MLK Countywide Committee and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee are pleased to announce the names of those being honored at the 23rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration on January 14, 2024.