Business
Read more about the article Built on Soul: How Neil St. Blues Became a Cornerstone of Downtown ChampaignRachel Johnson
Gayle Starks and her family run Neil St. Blues at 301 N. Neil St. in downtown Champaign. Photo by Rachel Johnson.

Built on Soul: How Neil St. Blues Became a Cornerstone of Downtown Champaign

A family-run restaurant’s journey through community, culture, and economic resilience. Inside Neil St. Blues, warm golden light reflects off a polished concrete floor and…

Continue ReadingBuilt on Soul: How Neil St. Blues Became a Cornerstone of Downtown Champaign
Read more about the article Arcola roofing, construction contractor fined over $1.8 million for exposing workers to unsafe working conditions in past decadeCU-CitizenAccess.org
Roofers working in Champaign on March 1, 2025.

Arcola roofing, construction contractor fined over $1.8 million for exposing workers to unsafe working conditions in past decade

In the past decade, federal safety inspectors have fined Elmer Miller and his construction company based in Arcola, Illinois more than $1.8 million. Last…

Continue ReadingArcola roofing, construction contractor fined over $1.8 million for exposing workers to unsafe working conditions in past decade
Read more about the article Archer Daniels Midland fined almost $52 million in past decade for 90 violations of federal, state lawsADM
Archer Daniels Midland regional headquarters in Decatur, Illinois. Photo from ADM's website.

Archer Daniels Midland fined almost $52 million in past decade for 90 violations of federal, state laws

In the last 11 years, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has racked up at least $51.9 million in fines for 90 federal- and state-level offenses…

Continue ReadingArcher Daniels Midland fined almost $52 million in past decade for 90 violations of federal, state laws
Read more about the article Emulsicoat asphalt plant moves to new location following decades of neighborhood complaintsHenry Young
Emulsicoat Inc.'s new location on Saline Court in Urbana. Photo by Henry Young.

Emulsicoat asphalt plant moves to new location following decades of neighborhood complaints

Emulsicoat’s asphalt plant located in the Historic East Urbana neighborhood is now operating at a new site 15 minutes away. The long-criticized plant is…

Continue ReadingEmulsicoat asphalt plant moves to new location following decades of neighborhood complaints
Read more about the article Historic downtown Urbana hotel expects to welcome guests in early 2025Darrell Hoemann
Urbana Landmark Hotel, to be renamed Hotel Royer, undergoing remodeling on Friday, December 24, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Historic downtown Urbana hotel expects to welcome guests in early 2025

Once named the ”Urbana Lincoln Hotel” to commemorate the former president’s visits to Urbana, the 100-year-old downtown fixture has not welcomed new guests since…

Continue ReadingHistoric downtown Urbana hotel expects to welcome guests in early 2025
Read more about the article State commission fined Campustown bars, liquor stores nearly $15,000 for underage sales in past six years — a fraction of what students have paidGoogle Street View
Joe's Brewery on Google Street View. Screenshot taken on August 23, 2023.

State commission fined Campustown bars, liquor stores nearly $15,000 for underage sales in past six years — a fraction of what students have paid

This past April, a Green Street Pantry employee was charged with selling alcohol to a minor who died of hypothermia the same night with…

Continue ReadingState commission fined Campustown bars, liquor stores nearly $15,000 for underage sales in past six years — a fraction of what students have paid
Read more about the article Toxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals
The Kraft Heinz factory in Champaign. Screenshot taken from Google Street View, captured August 2023.

Toxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals

The Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) facility in Decatur, which processes grain products into food ingredients and ethanol, released 2.7 million pounds of toxic chemicals…

Continue ReadingToxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals
Read more about the article Champaign bars, liquor stores failed 25% of underage compliance checks by Illinois Liquor Control Commission last year
Police in a crowd at KAMS during Halloween weekend in 2023. Photo by Stephanie Wayda.

Champaign bars, liquor stores failed 25% of underage compliance checks by Illinois Liquor Control Commission last year

The state of Illinois Liquor Control Commission has made enforcing and documenting underage drinking on its website a priority since 2021 — and enforcement…

Continue ReadingChampaign bars, liquor stores failed 25% of underage compliance checks by Illinois Liquor Control Commission last year
Read more about the article Illinois sees exit of firearm dealers despite all-time high in gun ownership Illinois State Police 2012
Photo from Illinois State Police website.

Illinois sees exit of firearm dealers despite all-time high in gun ownership 

Despite an all-time high in the number of Illinois residents possessing a firearm ownership card, the number of gun dealers and businesses registering guns…

Continue ReadingIllinois sees exit of firearm dealers despite all-time high in gun ownership