Monthly Archives: November 2025
Read more about the article Champaign’s revamped SLEEP program added hundreds of lights, cameras after Garden Hills pilot programMike Rock
Yard lights in the Garden Hills neighborhood illuminate the street. The City of Champaign's SLEEP program added hundreds of lights to the Garden Hills neighborhood between 2022 and 2023. Photo by Mike Rock.

Champaign’s revamped SLEEP program added hundreds of lights, cameras after Garden Hills pilot program

The Safety Lighting Energy Efficiency Program (SLEEP), originally designed to improve outdoor lighting and security in the Garden Hills neighborhood in 2019, got new…

Continue ReadingChampaign’s revamped SLEEP program added hundreds of lights, cameras after Garden Hills pilot program
Read more about the article Hope Village construction still faces opposition from Carver Park residentsAnna Eckburg
A detention pond and frames for potential tiny homes at the site of Hope Village, right next to the Carver Park neighborhood in Champaign on Oct. 13, 2025. Photo by Anna Eckburg.

Hope Village construction still faces opposition from Carver Park residents

In July 2023, construction broke ground on what was promised to be a first-of-its-kind community for some of Champaign County's most vulnerable residents: a…

Continue ReadingHope Village construction still faces opposition from Carver Park residents
Read more about the article Urbana pushes to revitalize Philo Road area amid ongoing crime concerns Andrew Burkey
The intersection of Philo Road and East Amber Lane. Photo taken Oct. 30, 2025 by Andrew Burkey.

Urbana pushes to revitalize Philo Road area amid ongoing crime concerns 

After years of economic downturn, vacant storefronts and aging infrastructure, the City of Urbana is once again setting its sights on reviving the once-thriving…

Continue ReadingUrbana pushes to revitalize Philo Road area amid ongoing crime concerns 
Read more about the article Gun violence in Holiday Park neighborhood steadily drops in past five yearsSam Rink
A school speed limit sign stands on Maplewood Drive across the street from Kenwood Elementary School in the Holiday Park neighborhood in Champaign, IL on Nov. 5, 2025. Photo by Sam Rink.

Gun violence in Holiday Park neighborhood steadily drops in past five years

Gun violence in the Holiday Park neighborhood in Champaign has decreased significantly in the last five years, according to data from the Champaign Police…

Continue ReadingGun violence in Holiday Park neighborhood steadily drops in past five years
Read more about the article Student alcohol and drug violations drop, but University of Illinois officials say actual use is higherUniversity of Illinois Blog
The University of Illinois Police Department operates from the Public Safety Building, 1110 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana.

Student alcohol and drug violations drop, but University of Illinois officials say actual use is higher

Student alcohol violations dropped 58% to 230 incidents during the last school year on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, according to the Office…

Continue ReadingStudent alcohol and drug violations drop, but University of Illinois officials say actual use is higher
Read more about the article Construction at Bristol Place senior apartments nearly complete, residents getting on wait listKatie Ratke
Bristol Place Senior Residences exterior construction progress on Sept. 15, 2025.

Construction at Bristol Place senior apartments nearly complete, residents getting on wait list

Over 10 years after Champaign began redeveloping the Bristol Park neighborhood, a 60-unit affordable senior apartment building at Bristol Place is nearly complete. Construction…

Continue ReadingConstruction at Bristol Place senior apartments nearly complete, residents getting on wait list
Read more about the article Champaign County spends over $700,000 from opioid settlement funds on local health, housing programs 
A pie chart from the Illinois Opioid Settlements website shows how more than $531 million in settlement payments have been allocated statewide to date. The remediation fund receives the largest share at 55%, followed by 33% to local governments and 12% to the state. Screenshot on Nov. 3, 2025.

Champaign County spends over $700,000 from opioid settlement funds on local health, housing programs 

Champaign County has directed over $700,000 in funds over the past two years from national opioid settlements to housing, health and safety supplies, medical…

Continue ReadingChampaign County spends over $700,000 from opioid settlement funds on local health, housing programs