City of Champaign
Recent News About City of Champaign
-
Equity & Engagement Department hosts resource table at "Be Yourself Ball
On Sunday, September 22, 2024, staff from the Equity & Engagement Department hosted a resource table at the Hitnhomeboy “Be Yourself Ball” at the Illini Union. This event aimed to educate and entertain attendees about the culture of Ballroom, which originated in queer Black communities. Participants engaged in various contests involving dance, outfits, and impersonations.
-
City departments conduct neighborhood canvass after gun violence incident
On Friday, September 20, staff from the Equity & Engagement Department and the Neighborhood Services Department conducted a neighborhood canvass. Staff members handed out flyers and spoke with citizens who were impacted by gun violence in the neighborhood surrounding the 300 Block of East Bradley Avenue earlier in the week.
-
First Immigrant Business Showcase held during Welcoming Week
City staff from the Equity & Engagement Department hosted the first Immigrant Business Showcase on Market Street on Saturday, September 21, 2024. This event was part of the City’s involvement in Welcoming Week 2024.
-
City officials discuss welcoming plan at university forum
On Friday, September 20, 2024, staff from the City of Champaign spoke at the University YMCA's Friday Forum + Conversations. This weekly event aims to engage the community in discussions about current events.
-
John Street lane closure scheduled for sanitary sewer work
In order to complete a sanitary sewer connection at 1606 W. John Street, D&S Sewer Services will close the westbound lane of John Street between Victor Street and Fair Street. The closure will begin on Monday, September 30, and will reopen on or before Monday, October 7, 2024. Through traffic will be allowed in this area and access will be maintained to all properties on John Street.
-
Champaign celebrates diversity at Immigrant Welcome Awards
City staff from the City Manager’s Office and the Equity & Engagement Department participated in the 2024 Immigrant Welcome Awards on Sunday, September 22, 2024. The event was hosted by CU Immigration Forum and marked the 11th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration.
-
Champaign police arrest man over threats against Parkland College
A Champaign man has been arrested following threats of violence against a local college campus. Champaign Police were dispatched at 9:06 a.m. on September 24, 2024, to Parkland College following a report of threats made on social media. Officers were made aware of a social media post that contained threats against the college by Parkland Public Safety, who requested additional assistance from neighboring agencies. Champaign Police worked quickly with authorities from Parkland and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate the source of the threat. Additionally,...
-
Traffic signal cabinet replacement to cause lane closures on Prospect Avenue and Marketview Drive
CS&L will close a northbound right turn lane of Prospect Avenue and an eastbound lane of Marketview Drive to replace the traffic signal cabinet. Stop signs will be deployed while power is removed. Once power is restored, the signal will be in flash mode until work is completed.
-
Champaign recognized for equitable use of federal rescue plan funds
The City of Champaign has been recognized for its use of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to advance equity. This recognition comes from a multiyear study conducted by the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School. The City's ARPA investment strategy is highlighted in the Institute’s Budget Equity Project, which examines how local governments across the country are using ARPA recovery funds to support equity.
-
Neil Street lane closure planned for September 24
In order to replace the traffic signal cabinet, CS&L will close a northbound lane on Neil Street at Anthony Drive. Stop signs will be deployed while power is removed. Once power has been restored, the signal will be in flash until work is completed. Work is scheduled to occur between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, weather permitting.
-
Champaign seeks firms for bridge inspection and structural engineering services
The City of Champaign has issued a call for Letters of Interest from firms to provide professional engineering services related to bridge inspections and structural engineering. This initiative will cover two inspection cycles, starting in Spring 2025 and continuing through Fall 2028.
-
Mayor Feinen elected president of Illinois Municipal League
On September 21, 2024, Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen was unanimously elected to serve a one-year term as President of the Illinois Municipal League (IML). Mayor Feinen has served on the IML Board of Directors as a Vice President since 2020 and was elected to this top position during the 111th IML Annual Conference held last weekend in Chicago.
-
City of Champaign Plan Commission met Sept. 18
City of Champaign Plan Commission met Wednesday, Sept. 18
-
City of Champaign Library Board of Trustees met Sept. 18
City of Champaign Library Board of Trustees met Wednesday, Sept. 18
-
City of Champaign City Council met Sept. 17
City of Champaign City Council met Tuesday, Sept. 17
-
City staff reelected as leaders of American Planning Association chapter
Lacey Rains-Lowe and Jeff Marino, AICP, were recently elected to continue serving as Director and Assistant Director of the Downstate Section of the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA).
-
City dedicates new Habitat for Humanity house on West Maple Street
Neighborhood Services Department staff assisted in dedicating another Habitat for Humanity house on West Maple Street. The City is a member of the HOME Consortium, which regularly supports Habitat for Humanity and the construction of affordable housing. The HOME Consortium has now supported 118 affordable homes constructed by Habitat for Humanity.
-
Neighborhood groups host various community events throughout Champaign
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, the Jordan Drive neighborhood watch hosted their annual ice cream social. Members of the 22 households that make up the group look forward to the event each year as a way to catch up with their neighbors. That same evening, the South Willis neighborhood group hosted their 41st annual block party. The long-standing tradition combines a neighborhood potluck with the opportunity for people to discuss what’s happening in their neighborhood.
-
Champaign hosts second annual Welcoming Week kickoff event
On Friday, September 13, 2024, the community welcomed the second annual Welcoming Week Kickoff Event. Over 40 vendors and 600 people participated in the Welcoming Week Kick-Off Celebration where Mayor Fienen and Mayor Marlin read a proclamation designating Welcoming Week 2024. The theme for this year’s Welcoming Week is "We’re All In!" and the City of Champaign is "All In!" on celebrating and welcoming immigrant neighbors and citizens.
-
Event educates attendees on starting small businesses and worker protections
On Monday, September 16, 2024, Janel Gomez, Community Relations Manager (E&E), presented at the Champaign Public Library. This event focused on workers and human rights at the Welcoming Week Event: Steps to Starting a Small Business. The event was hosted in partnership with the Small Business Development Center and The Refugee Project. Attendees learned about worker protections as well as how to get assistance in starting a business.