Chambana Sun

Champaign County officials are soliciting public input about how best to use an additional $40 million in their coffers.

The additional funding comes from the American Rescue Plan. The town finance committee is planning to host a study session to allow public suggestions. The gathering is not a request for specific project funding but rather a tool to help the board brainstorm potential priorities.

"Like making sure all your election equipment is up to date, those kinds of things need citizens to stand up and say 'this is what we want,'" League of Women Voters of Champaign County President Trisha Crowley said. "To have some extra money to address high cap, a high priority for citizens, is very unusual." The league is helping to encourage community members to submit ideas to the county. 

One such example might be the LEAD Champaign County plan introduced by the local Chamber of Commerce in August.

The program is “designed to mold young professionals into strong local leaders. Participants will gain confidence, knowledge, professionalism and new leadership skills they can bring back to their place of employment.”

All courses for this year’s program were held remotely as a guard against the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure that all participants could get the most of the experience, the number of participants was limited.

Lead Champaign County Mission officials bill their mission as to “attract and identify the next generation of community leaders in order to grow Champaign County. Connect young professionals with the surrounding community through unique opportunities in the area of service, leadership, and advocacy. Engage young professionals to have a vested interest in the success of our community.”

Each week the 10-week program will feature guest speakers offering their perspectives on leadership-related topics ranging from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test to leadership management skills and how to lead during a crisis.