Housing
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 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 Some Champaign mobile home parks lack annual inspections despite thousands of state code violations found in past five years
Candlewood Estates in Mahomet from Google Street View, captured September 2024.

Some Champaign mobile home parks lack annual inspections despite thousands of state code violations found in past five years

Over the past five years, the Illinois Department of Public Health conducted about 130 inspections of 29 mobile and manufactured home parks in Champaign…

Continue ReadingSome Champaign mobile home parks lack annual inspections despite thousands of state code violations found in past five years
Read more about the article Roofing contractors appear to often work without licenses; State regulators count on public to alert them to illegal operations and safety issuesCU-CitizenAccess.org
Roofers working in Champaign on March 1, 2025.

Roofing contractors appear to often work without licenses; State regulators count on public to alert them to illegal operations and safety issues

Over the past five years, federal workplace safety officials inspected about 1,800 roofing contractors in Illinois. But a CU-CitizenAccess review found no state records…

Continue ReadingRoofing contractors appear to often work without licenses; State regulators count on public to alert them to illegal operations and safety issues
Read more about the article Waitlist for affordable housing projects in Champaign County far exceeds the number of vouchers availableGoogle Street View
The Housing Authority of Champaign County, located at 2008 N. Market St. in Champaign. Photo from Google Street View, captured August 2023.

Waitlist for affordable housing projects in Champaign County far exceeds the number of vouchers available

Low- to moderate-income residents are currently living in about 1,000 housing units supported by vouchers through the Housing Authority of Champaign County — but…

Continue ReadingWaitlist for affordable housing projects in Champaign County far exceeds the number of vouchers available
Read more about the article Champaign County energy assistance program faces uncertain future amid federal cutsMariana Quezada
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program office at the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission at 1776 E. Washington St. in Urbana on May 7, 2025.

Champaign County energy assistance program faces uncertain future amid federal cuts

An energy assistance program for low-income residents in Champaign County is bracing for future funding shortfalls after federal budget cuts halted new applications and…

Continue ReadingChampaign County energy assistance program faces uncertain future amid federal cuts
Read more about the article Summer electricity bills to rise 20% in C-U area; Champaign plans to reinstate utility assistance program after one year suspension
The Ameren Illinois service zone and the grid operator's zone covers much of the same territory. Source: Ambit Energy Pros (Left), MISO Planning Resource Auction for Planning Year 2025/26 Results (Right) 

Summer electricity bills to rise 20% in C-U area; Champaign plans to reinstate utility assistance program after one year suspension

Residential energy bills this summer are expected to increase about 20% beginning in June.  On April 28, the grid operator in central and southern…

Continue ReadingSummer electricity bills to rise 20% in C-U area; Champaign plans to reinstate utility assistance program after one year suspension
Read more about the article Thousands wait for housing assistance in Champaign County while federal cuts loomGoogle Street View
The Housing Authority of Champaign County, located at 2008 N. Market St. in Champaign. Photo from Google Street View, captured August 2023.

Thousands wait for housing assistance in Champaign County while federal cuts loom

Nearly 4,000 applications for tenant-based housing vouchers have been filed in Champaign County over the last seven months, but none have been processed and…

Continue ReadingThousands wait for housing assistance in Champaign County while federal cuts loom
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 Demolition for new apartment complex, church not result of fire, but simulated trainingHumza Qazi
Photo depicting the current construction site located at 608 E. Chalmers St. Photo by Humza Qazi.

Demolition for new apartment complex, church not result of fire, but simulated training

Toward the end of January last year, gas could be smelled and smoke seen billowing from the windows of an apartment building located at…

Continue ReadingDemolition for new apartment complex, church not result of fire, but simulated training