City of Champaign
Recent News About City of Champaign
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Award Recipients Announced for 2024 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration
The MLK Countywide Committee and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee have announced the recipients of the prestigious awards at the 23rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration. This event, which will take place on January 14, 2024, aims to honor individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the principles and ideals of Dr. King.The three community members who will be honored at the celebration are Marco Price, Rev. Herbert D. Burnett, and Minnie Pearson. Marco Price will receive the James R. Burgess, Jr./Susan...
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Shooting Investigation Underway in Champaign
Champaign Police are currently investigating a shooting incident that occurred on December 31, 2023, in the 2400 block of N. Neil Street. Officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, they discovered that a 24-year-old woman from Rockford, Illinois, had arrived at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim is currently in stable condition.According to the initial investigation, the victim was seated in her vehicle when she heard multiple shots fired in the area. The gunfire struck a building and...
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Third Street Road Closure for Water Service Installation
Third Street between University Avenue and Clark Street in Champaign will be temporarily closed to through traffic starting on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. The closure is necessary for DUCE Construction to install water service at 214 E Clark Street. The road will reopen on Friday, January 5, 2024. According to the Public Works Department, access to all properties in the affected area will be maintained during the closure. However, motorists are advised to plan alternate routes to avoid delays."We understand that road closures can be inconvenient, but this temporary...
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Neighborhood Services Hosts Quarterly Neighborhood Leaders Huddle
Neighborhood Services hosted the Q4 Neighborhood Leaders Huddle on December 16, 2023, replacing the monthly neighborhood leaders meetings. This quarterly event serves as a platform to inform our neighbors about upcoming events, projects, and community partner services and resources. The huddle featured presentations from staff members and local community partner agencies.During the huddle, several important topics were addressed. One of the presentations focused on the Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint, aiming to address and reduce gun violence in our community. Another...
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GHMC Neighborhood Group Hosted Luminaries and Caroling Event
On December 17, 2023, the Green Healey Mckinley Chicago (GHMC) neighborhood group brought a touch of holiday magic to their community by hosting an enchanting evening of luminaries and caroling. The event, made possible through the City's small grant program, was a heartwarming display of community spirit and togetherness.The GHMC neighborhood group utilized the small grant program to cover the costs of luminary bags, sand, and candles. With the support of their fellow neighbors, several individuals took the initiative to fill the bags with sand and candles. These...
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No City Council Meeting Scheduled for December 26, 2023
The City Council of Champaign has announced that there will be no meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 26, 2023. This was confirmed in a notice posted on December 21, 2023. The announcement stated, "There is no City Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 26, 2023." The city has provided a link to download the official notice of the no meeting on December 26, 2023. This notice can be accessed by clicking here.The decision to cancel the meeting is likely due to the holiday season, as the notice is tagged with "City holidays." It is common for governing bodies...
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Successful Small Business Networking Event Supports Local Entrepreneurs
On December 14, 2023, the Equity and Engagement Department, in collaboration with the Campus Community Compact, organized a small business networking event at Neil Street Blues. This event aimed to provide opportunities for small business owners to enhance their businesses and establish connections with other local enterprises. The event, which was the first in a series, focused on supporting small, local, MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) and WBE (Women Business Enterprise) entrepreneurs and contractors.The event saw a diverse range of attendees, including city staff,...
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Green Street Lane Closure: Traffic to be Diverted Around Construction Area
Signature Sign Company has announced that they will be closing one lane of Green Street between Fifth Street and Sixth Street in order to install a sign at 603 S. Sixth Street. The closure will begin on Wednesday, December 20, and will reopen on Thursday, December 21, 2023.During the closure, traffic will be diverted around the construction area. One lane of eastbound and one lane of westbound traffic will be maintained at all times. This measure is being taken to ensure the safety of both the construction workers and the motorists passing through the area.The Green...
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City of Champaign Requests Proposals for Axis Cameras
The City of Champaign has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the purchase of Axis cameras and accessories. The RFP, which was posted on December 19, 2023, invites qualified vendors to submit quotes for the specified equipment.According to the official announcement, the City of Champaign is looking for qualified vendors who can provide Axis cameras and related accessories as detailed in the RFP documents. The request is part of the city's ongoing efforts to enhance its surveillance capabilities and ensure public safety.In order to participate in the bidding...
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December 19, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Cancelled
The City Council Regular Meeting that was supposed to take place on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, has been cancelled, according to a recent announcement. The cancellation notice can be downloaded by clicking here.The reason for the cancellation was not specified in the announcement. However, it is important for residents and stakeholders to be aware of this change in the schedule.In light of this cancellation, it is advisable for anyone who had plans to attend the meeting to make alternative arrangements or seek information through other channels.As stated by the...
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University Avenue Lane Closure (between Second Street and First Street)
A lane closure is scheduled for University Avenue between Second Street and First Street in Champaign. DUCE Construction will be closing one westbound lane of University Avenue in order to install water service at 134 E University Avenue. The closure is set to begin on Monday, December 18, 2023, and will reopen on Friday, December 22, 2023. During this time, westbound traffic in the area will be reduced to one lane.This lane closure is necessary to facilitate the installation of water service at 134 E University Avenue. The closure will allow DUCE Construction to safely...
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Champaign County Community Coalition Reflects on a Successful Year
The Champaign County Community Coalition recently held its "Year in Review" meeting, marking the end of a successful year of community engagement and progress. The event, which took place on December 13, 2023, was a joyful celebration filled with music and holiday treats. The highlight of the evening was a special guest appearance by Dr. Tony Davis, who shared his inspiring story of forgiveness.During the meeting, representatives from various local police departments highlighted the achievements made in 2023. These accomplishments included increased staff hiring, a...
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Former O’Charley’s Property Cleanup
The Code Compliance Division recently responded to a complaint regarding the former O’Charley’s restaurant property in Champaign. Upon inspection, it was discovered that two individuals were living outside the abandoned building, surrounded by an accumulation of shopping carts, tarps, garbage, and other refuse.To address this issue, a nuisance notice was promptly issued to the owner of the property. In addition, the Neighborhood Services staff reached out to the Street Outreach staff at Strides Shelter in order to offer resources and assistance to the two individuals...
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Citizenship Fast Track Program Wraps Up Successfully
On December 9, 2023, the Equity and Engagement Department collaborated with the New American Welcome Center (NAWC) to conclude their inaugural Citizenship Fast-Track program. This intensive 10-day program catered to community members who were confident in their English skills and aimed to equip them with the necessary knowledge of American history and the skills required to apply for and pass the citizenship exam. On Saturday, the program culminated with mock interviews to allow participants to practice their skills and receive feedback from NAWC staff, City staff, and...
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E&E Intern Wrap-Up
The Equity and Engagement Department at the University of Illinois (U of I) recently concluded its semester-long internship program, in collaboration with the School of Social Work's Community Learning Lab (CLL). The CLL aims to foster connections between the university students and the local community, fostering mutual benefits in areas such as sustainability, service, growth, and education. This semester, the program hosted four interns who engaged in valuable experiential learning opportunities.The interns were tasked with gathering data on the Champaign Diversity...
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Grant Writing Workshop Explores the Benefits of AI
On December 11, 2023, the Equity and Engagement Department staff attended a workshop hosted by the U of I School of Social Work. The event, inspired by community partner feedback, focused on grant-writing and included a session on utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for productivity and grant-writing. With over 50 attendees, the workshop aimed to empower human service providers in navigating the grant application process with confidence.During the workshop, the participants explored the potential of AI in various aspects of grant-writing. One of the highlights was how...
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Champaign County Hosts Inaugural Day of Forgiveness
On December 13, 2023, Champaign County held its first-ever "Day of Forgiveness," bringing together community members to discuss the power of forgiveness in healing from gun violence. The event began with a meal where families impacted by gun violence shared their experiences and had a chance to engage in a dialogue about grief and forgiveness with Dr. Tony Davis, a survivor of gun violence himself.The following day, Dr. Davis made an appearance as a guest star on the radio program "A Penny for Your Thoughts" to share his story and discuss the journey of forgiveness....
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New IGFOA Downstate Chapter President
Courtney Kouzmanoff, a member of the Finance Department, has been appointed as the new President of the Downstate Illinois Chapter of the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association (IGFOA). Kouzmanoff, who previously served as the Vice President of the chapter, will now take on the role of leading the organization.The IGFOA is an association that focuses on serving finance professionals by providing opportunities for learning, networking, and professional growth. Kouzmanoff's appointment as the Chapter President highlights her dedication and expertise in the field...
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City of Champaign Requests Letter of Interest for Rapid Response Engineering and Architectural Services
The City of Champaign is seeking professional engineering and architectural services through a qualification-based selection process. The city has invited firms to submit a Letter of Interest for Rapid Response Engineering and Architectural Services, with the intention of procuring these services for a period of three years, starting in 2024 and running through 2026.The services required involve providing "on-call" response to engineering and architectural issues associated with the design and construction of development projects, facility projects, and public...
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University Avenue and Fair Street Lane Closures
In an effort to address storm sewer repairs, SNC Construction has announced plans to temporarily narrow both lanes of University Avenue at the intersection with Fair Street. The construction company will maintain travel through the work zone with slight lane shifts. However, as part of the repair process, southbound Fair Street, located immediately south of University Avenue, will be closed during daytime work hours. On the other hand, northbound Fair Street will remain open to all traffic.The construction work is set to commence promptly at 7 a.m. on Monday, December 18,...