Chambana Sun

Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen declared a coronavirus-related state of emergency via executive order on March 12.

The executive order gives both Feinen and the City of Champaign a wide range of extraordinary powers, including:

• Bans on the sales of firearms and ammunition
• A ban on the sale of alcohol
• A ban on the sale of, or giving away of gasoline or other liquid flammable or combustible products in any container other than a gasoline tank permanently fixed to a motor vehicle; among other powers

"The executive order allows the city to be flexible to properly respond to the emergency needs of our community," Jeff Hamilton, Champaign's Communications Manager, told WAND-TV. "None of the options will necessarily be implemented but are available in order to protect the welfare and safety of our community if needed."

After public outcry about the executive order and its far-reaching powers, the city issued a statement clarifying the emergency powers.

"This statement is in response to several false claims circulating online," the statement says. "To be clear, there is currently no firearm ban and no intent to seize property or close businesses. Additionally, there are no restrictions on the sale of alcohol or gas or the ability to enter or leave Champaign."

• Holding Council meetings electronically if needed, with public notice and public input if practical.
• Board and Commission meetings may be canceled.
• Special event permits and other City licenses may be suspended.
• The City Manager may authorize purchases necessary to handle the emergency.
• Personnel policies related to leave time and other conditions may be modified temporarily.
• Temporary agreements with the City’s bargaining units may be implemented as needed in conjunction with Union leadership.
• City facilities may be temporarily closed to the public in order to protect the health of residents and employees.
• Ordinance violation payment or processing timelines may be extended.
• Payment deadlines for funds owed to the City may be extended.
• Mayor may issue other temporary orders allowed by City Code and found necessary to handle the emergency.
• The Mayor may temporarily delegate powers to an emergency interim successor if necessary due to absence or incapacity of the Mayor.

Feinen stated that emergency powers law has existed since 2006 and that "no further measures are anticipated" as of March 13. 

“So many of those powers, I have had from the beginning,” Feinen said to WAND-TV. “All we have done is enumerate them and now the public is aware of them. So, I am the liquor commissioner. I can shut down bars yesterday, I could have shut them down two years ago. Nothing has changed with respect to that, it is just that we have laid it out, so people are aware of that. In respect to the other items that are listed in the attachment, they have been listed in the city code for 15 years."