Chambana Sun

Tyler Funk has been appointed as the next Fire Chief for the City of Champaign, with his term beginning on November 19, 2025. The announcement was made by City Manager Joan Walls. Funk has been serving as Interim Fire Chief since July 2025 and previously worked in the Champaign Fire Department for 26 years, reaching the position of Deputy Fire Chief before retiring in 2023.

“I am pleased to announce Tyler Funk’s appointment as the City’s next Fire Chief,” said City Manager Joan Walls. “Chief Funk is an exemplary public servant who will be central to our Fire Department’s future growth. A strong and seasoned leader, Chief Funk is not only well-respected throughout the State, but he is also the right chief at the right time to lead the current and next generation of our fire department. Chief Funk is dedicated to this City, forward-thinking, community-focused, and results-oriented. I am so excited to bring Chief Funk back to the City in this crucial role.”

Upon accepting his new role, Funk expressed appreciation for being chosen. “I am grateful and honored by the City Manager’s confidence and trust she places in me to lead our City’s amazing Fire Department,” said Chief Tyler Funk. “The level of talent and professionalism within the Champaign Fire Department is truly inspiring. I will proudly support our distinguished firefighters and amazing staff, and together we will continue to build upon the department’s proud tradition of excellence, service, and safety for Champaign’s residents.”

Funk started his career with the Champaign Fire Department in 1997 as a firefighter and progressed through various roles over more than two decades of service. He retired as Deputy Fire Chief in July 2023. During his tenure, he served as Acting Fire Chief during the city’s COVID emergency response from 2020-2021 and held positions such as Fire Marshal from 2019-2023. He also taught Incident Command System training within the department for many years and participated in Illinois’ MABAS deployable Hazmat team.

Before joining Champaign's fire services, Funk worked as a Department of Defense firefighter with the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg from 1992-1996.