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May 12, 20230

COVID’s toll in Champaign County as emergency ends: 325 deaths, 86,946 cases, unknown number of long haulers

April 12, 20230

State data gives early warning of layoffs from larger companies, but lost jobs from small businesses go uncounted

New government employee salary guide with searchable databases available!
About Us

CU-CitizenAccess is an online newsroom devoted to community and watchdog reporting by journalism students at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

The newsroom focuses mostly on Champaign County and central Illinois, but produces occasional regional, national and international stories.

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Security footage across the street from an incident on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 1:47 a.m. at Red Lion at 211 E Green St in Champaign. A video of the aftermath was uploaded by Harley Coleman: https://youtube.com/watch?v=8g0V2…

Police said no charges were filed, but bar owner Scott Cochrane said there would be more training for bouncers and security. 

There has been a resurgence of Covid 19 cases in Champaign County and at the University of Illinois. The county reported 849 active cases as of Aug. 31, but said case numbers are underestimated because of unreported home tests. The county also reported 13 hospitalizations. Reported total deaths rose to 304 from 295 in April. Campus cases at the University of Illinois totaled 1,105 over the last seven days, with 326 of those cases reported on Aug. 30. With reduced testing, the positivity rate is above 20 percent on campus.

Business

April 12, 20230

State data gives early warning of layoffs from larger companies, but lost jobs from small businesses go uncounted

A few months ago, Everyday Kitchen on Neil Street in Champaign suddenly announced its closing after over four years in business. But if one knew about the state's layoff notification program, they

March 6, 20230

Downtown for sale: Vacant and derelict buildings wait for new owners and development plans

December 20, 20220

Some Champaign landlords limit use of vouchers as income, meaning it’s harder for low-income families to rent; But Urbana landlords accept vouchers

June 24, 20220

Champaign-Urbana businesses varied in reasons to take — or not to take — federal loans

May 4, 20220

As national labor shortage drags on, local businesses and workers suffer consequences of the “Great Resignation”

February 16, 20220

Latest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national survey

February 10, 20221

‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: Cannabis workers describe pushback against unionization efforts

Government

Justice Champaign and Urbana police still mostly white despite repeated attempts at racial diversity
Public Funds Champaign police increase residency bonus but most officers still prefer to live out of town; Other area departments show similar pattern
Government Hard-to-find drainage district records reveal expenditures of more than $1.5 million annually
Public Funds Longtime Champaign attorney’s compensation rose $100,000 before retirement; Total compensation for all city staff rose 4.5%
Public Funds Urbana doubled bonuses paid to its workers in 2022; Total compensation for workers rose $1.4 million, a 6.64% increase

Justice

Justice Champaign and Urbana police still mostly white despite repeated attempts at racial diversity
Public Funds Central Illinois police training for mental health cases questioned, involuntary commitment issues remain
Justice Of 50 victims, young minorities harmed most by flurry of Champaign gun violence

Health Care

Business Latest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national survey
Public Health Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab site of most staff, resident COVID-19 cases in county
Health Care ‘Unique historical fear’ of Carle Health billing practices may lead some to skip COVID-19 vaccine, health officials worry
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