| Chambana Sun

Which former Chambana Sun area high school standouts will be in action in the week starting Mon Dec. 18?

By Chambana Sun | Dec 16, 2023

These former Chambana Sun area high school standouts will be in action in the week starting Mon Dec. 18.

Home sales in Champaign County during week ending Dec. 9

By Chambana Sun | Dec 16, 2023

There were 18 reported residential sales in Champaign County in the week ending Dec. 9, according to BlockShopper.com.

Weekly recap of Ford County home sales during week ending Dec. 9, 2023

By Chambana Sun | Dec 16, 2023

There were three reported residential sales in Ford County in the week ending Dec. 9, 2023, according to BlockShopper.com.

Medium joshua eckstein sre2j0jr9p0 unsplash

Chambana Sun area weekly mass times

By Chambana Sun | Dec 16, 2023

The following parishes in the Chambana Sun coverage area hold weekly mass at these designated times.

Report reveals Black students face more discipline at Centennial High School in 2021-22 school year

By Chambana Sun | Dec 16, 2023

Black students, constituting 41% or 569 of Centennial High School's total student population of 1,388, accounted for 148 out of the 191 total suspensions (77.5%) in the 2021-22 school year, averaging roughly one suspension per four students, according to the latest student discipline report by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Champaign County residents pay $26,523 in County Automobile Renting Tax in 2022

By Chambana Sun | Dec 16, 2023

In 2022, Champaign County saw an increase in County Automobile Renting Tax collection compared to the previous year.

Martin Luther King Jr. Countywide Celebration

By Chambana Sun Report | Dec 16, 2023

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.

University Avenue Lane Closure (between Second Street and First Street)

By Chambana Sun | Dec 15, 2023

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...

Champaign County Community Coalition Reflects on a Successful Year

By Chambana Sun | Dec 15, 2023

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...

Former O’Charley’s Property Cleanup

By Chambana Sun | Dec 15, 2023

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...

Citizenship Fast Track Program Wraps Up Successfully

By Chambana Sun | Dec 15, 2023

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...

E&E Intern Wrap-Up

By Chambana Sun | Dec 15, 2023

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...

Grant Writing Workshop Explores the Benefits of AI

By Chambana Sun | Dec 15, 2023

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...

How did home valuation prices perform in Champaign County in November 2023, compared to November 2022?

By Chambana Sun | Dec 15, 2023

In November 2023, the median sale price of a home in Champaign County rose by $4,000 from the same period in the previous year, while total sales decreased by 32.8%.

Champaign County Hosts Inaugural Day of Forgiveness

By Chambana Sun | Dec 15, 2023

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....