December 20, 2021 – CU-CitizenAccess.org

CU Nursing and Rehab exterior (302 Burwash Ave, Savoy, IL 61874) on Friday, December 17, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab site of most staff, resident COVID-19 cases in county

Post author:Noah Nelson / For CU-CitizenAccess
Post published:December 20, 2021
Post category:CU-Covid19 Health Care Public Health

Of the five long-term care facilities in Champaign County, Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab has had the most staff and resident COVID-19 cases, accounting for over one-third of all cases in such facilities as of the first week in December.

Read more about the article Garden Hills residents feel ‘neglected’ by Champaign over years

Darrell Hoemann

Garden Hills looking east on Paula Drive from Mattis Avenue on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Garden Hills residents feel ‘neglected’ by Champaign over years

Post author:Nic Meister / For CU-CitizenAccess
Post published:December 20, 2021
Post category:Neighborhoods Public Funds

For years, Garden Hills residents, property owners and advocates have been unsuccessfully pleading with the city of Champaign for improved living conditions, more city funding and reduced crime. While plans are underway for some improvements, some said it should have come sooner.

Read more about the article Rising number of foster kids linked to domestic violence in Champaign County

Champaign County CASA, Facebook

Blue pinwheels outside of Michelle's Bridal in Urbana in support of Champaign County CASA and Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Rising number of foster kids linked to domestic violence in Champaign County

Post author:Olivia Abbott / For CU-CitizenAccess
Post published:December 20, 2021
Post category:Justice Neighborhoods Public Health

The Champaign County CASA provided legal services this year to about 595 foster children, but served about 200 less just two years ago. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. This branch of CASA is based in Champaign, but is a national organization that has been around since 1994. The special advocates are contracted by the county and assigned to a child to oversee their home reassignment and to assure they are getting proper care.

Read more about the article City’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhood

Darrell Hoemann

Sign for the Martin Luther King Subdivision neighborhood on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

City’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhood

Post author:Brendyn Jones / For CU-CitizenAccess
Post published:December 20, 2021
Post category:Neighborhoods Public Funds

During one of its quarterly neighborhood association meetings this year, the MLK Subdivision brainstormed about how to reduce speeding on its streets. Kerri Wiman, the director of the Champaign neighborhood services department, happened to be sitting in on the meeting. Hearing the group’s concerns, she decided to direct them to the Neighborhood Services Small Grant Program — and it helped get them results.

Read more about the article Champaign County’s removal of property tax search by name sought by officials seeking privacy, but decision confounds other assessors

Darrell Hoemann

Brookens Admin Center in Urbana, IL 61801 on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Champaign County’s removal of property tax search by name sought by officials seeking privacy, but decision confounds other assessors

Post author:Nic Meister / For CU-CitizenAccess
Post published:December 20, 2021
Post category:Public Funds Technology

Champaign County eliminated the ability for a person to search property tax records by an owner’s first and last name in 2018's new tax system, despite almost every other county in Illinois still allowing it and seeing improved service quality as a result. However, the property records, including names, can be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act and put into a searchable database. In other words, not allowing one to search by name in the software simply makes finding a property owner’s name more difficult, rather than preventing it altogether.