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Read more about the article Historic Urbana-Lincoln Hotel to welcome guests next year after numerous failed attempts to reopenDarrell 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 Urbana-Lincoln Hotel to welcome guests next year after numerous failed attempts to reopen

It has been an arduous journey since the early 2000s for the Urbana-Lincoln Hotel. There have been at least 7 different owners, 5 name changes, and millions of dollars in renovations and selling costs.  Both city officials and the new owner, Icon Hospitality, LLC, are now confident the hotel will not only successfully open in late 2022 but will bring in significant revenue.

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Read more about the article Urbana’s number of waste haulers cited as environmentally unsustainable, some residents agreeDarrell Hoemann
Republic Services exterior at 2801 N Willow Rd, Urbana, IL 61802) on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Urbana’s number of waste haulers cited as environmentally unsustainable, some residents agree

While recycling is controlled in Urbana, trash is not consolidated in the same way, as there are seven licensed haulers for the city of Urbana, all ranging in price and accepted volume.  Not every hauler services each part of Urbana, and haulers pick up trash on a few designated days. Courtney Kwong, recycling coordinator for Urbana, said this is a long-term goal for the city to increase efficiency in the next 30 years.

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Read more about the article Nearby landfill capacity nears limit within two decadesDarrell Hoemann
Illinois Street Residence Halls, exterior (1010 W Illinois St, Urbana, IL 61801) on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Nearby landfill capacity nears limit within two decades

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) predicted capacity limit for the Republic Services Brickyard Disposal is the lowest in the Central Illinois region, and…

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Read more about the article University Tenant Union Housing Portal taken down for violating ad policies, but decision eliminates student complaints against landlordsHousing Explorer web page
The Housing Explorer was among one of the cuts to student and community resources made by the University of Illinois's Off-Campus Community Living Office.

University Tenant Union Housing Portal taken down for violating ad policies, but decision eliminates student complaints against landlords

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign quietly removed an online portal last year that, compiled a database of student complaints against area landlords and landlord responses to those complaints. A university official said this month that the site was taken down because it violated campus website advertising rules and that it was too much work to maintain the complaints section. The University of Illinois Off-Campus Community Living suggests that students use sites like Google Reviews, Yelp, the U of I Reddit Page, or the Better Business Bureau to draw their own conclusions about leasing companies on campus. 

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Read more about the article Carle Foundation Hospital expansion increases capacity, brings business to the areaDarrell Hoemann
Carle Admin Center at Carle at the Fields on Sunday, December 19, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Carle Foundation Hospital expansion increases capacity, brings business to the area

Construction in Champaign for Carle Foundation Hospital buildings is joined by the addition of other businesses and restaurants nearby, contributing to the economic growth of the new area known as The Fields.

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Read more about the article Ebertfest prices increased up to 50% prior to postponing due to COVID-19Danielle Sheppard
Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Park Ave., Champaign, Illinois

Ebertfest prices increased up to 50% prior to postponing due to COVID-19

Prices for Ebertfest tickets soared this year with passes increasing between 35% and 50% from 2020 to 2021, depending on the type of pass. The annual film festival started by the late film critic Roger Ebert in Champaign-Urbana in 1999, was scheduled for September 8 to 11 at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, but was delayed again because of concerns about COVID-19 pandemic. The festival had previously been called off in the spring of 2020 due similar concerns about COVID-19, but returned this fall with the price increases.

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Read more about the article Illinois Small Business Association releases Restaurant Revitalization Fund information
Source: Small Business Association

Illinois Small Business Association releases Restaurant Revitalization Fund information

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced details about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a program established under the American Rescue Plan Act Congress passed…

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Read more about the article Restaurants, religious organizations among top local industries that received PPP loans
Source: U.S. Farm Credit Administration

Restaurants, religious organizations among top local industries that received PPP loans

The Small Business Administration released more data about businesses who received Paycheck Protection Program loans under $150,000. Previously, the SBA did not release business names for businesses that received loans under $150,000.

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