Housing
Read more about the article Seven intentional fires set in residence halls in past three school yearsHumza Qazi
Photo depicting Wassaja Hall, within which an intentional fire where a carpet in a residential lounge space was found to have been burnt took place in 2023. Photo by Humza Qazi.

Seven intentional fires set in residence halls in past three school years

A melted toilet seat in Oglesby Hall.  A smoldered cork board in Allen Hall.  A burnt carpet in Wassaja Hall.  These are just some…

Continue ReadingSeven intentional fires set in residence halls in past three school years
Read more about the article High rises strain Campustown sewer capacity; new sanitary study to be conducted in 2025Gwyn Skiles
Seven07 at 707 S. Fourth St. in Champaign. Photo by Gwyn Skiles.

High rises strain Campustown sewer capacity; new sanitary study to be conducted in 2025

In 2009, the City of Champaign began approving a wave of high rises that added more than 2,000 beds to the Campustown area over…

Continue ReadingHigh rises strain Campustown sewer capacity; new sanitary study to be conducted in 2025
Read more about the article Housing authority plans to combat rising homelessness in Champaign County, support low-income residentsGoogle Street View
Housing at Douglass Square Apartments in Champaign. The 70-unit project is expected to have 37 vouchers added under the Housing Authority of Champaign County, its 2025 Moving To Work plan showed. Screenshot from Google Street View, captured in 2019.

Housing authority plans to combat rising homelessness in Champaign County, support low-income residents

The Housing Authority of Champaign County has unveiled its 2025 Moving to Work Plan, including a new proposal to combat homelessness and support low-income…

Continue ReadingHousing authority plans to combat rising homelessness in Champaign County, support low-income residents
Read more about the article Champaign’s lawsuits against Champaign Park Apartments seek new remediesapartments.com
Champaign Park Apartments received the most complaints in Champaign from January 1, 2021 to mid February 2023. During this time, 393 units were condemned by the city.

Champaign’s lawsuits against Champaign Park Apartments seek new remedies

In the ongoing legal battle between the City of Champaign and the troubled Champaign Park Apartments, the court recently ordered inspection of heating systems…

Continue ReadingChampaign’s lawsuits against Champaign Park Apartments seek new remedies
Read more about the article Shadow Wood and mobile home parks still lack emergency weather alerts in SpanishRoger Morales/Hoy
The entrance to Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park. File photo.

Shadow Wood and mobile home parks still lack emergency weather alerts in Spanish

Spanish-speaking Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park residents cannot receive weather alerts about tornados or severe storms because there are no Spanish-language services in Champaign.…

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Read more about the article Top property owners in Champaign County include University of Illinois, Mormon church and web of landlordsDarrell Hoemann
Brookens Admin Center in Urbana, IL 61801 on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Top property owners in Champaign County include University of Illinois, Mormon church and web of landlords

In 2023, 13 property owners in Champaign County owned over 100 properties each. The largest property owner, by far, is the University of Illinois…

Continue ReadingTop property owners in Champaign County include University of Illinois, Mormon church and web of landlords
Read more about the article Causes of many fires in Champaign and Urbana go undetermined; Campustown is a hot spot
Photo depicting the aftermath of a fire at 206 S. First St. Photo by Claire Podlesak.

Causes of many fires in Champaign and Urbana go undetermined; Campustown is a hot spot

A cigarette butt flicked out of an open window.  A late-night pizza sitting in the oven for too long.  A hair curler left on…

Continue ReadingCauses of many fires in Champaign and Urbana go undetermined; Campustown is a hot spot
Read more about the article Champaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two yearsDarrell Hoemann
The former C.S. Johnson factory in Champaign on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Champaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two years

Building paint is peeling, junk litters the property and “no trespassing” signs sporadically adorn fences surrounding the approximately 330,000 square feet of property of…

Continue ReadingChampaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two years
Read more about the article Over one year later, no detached housing built following Champaign ordinance
Image from illinoisrealtors.org article about accessory dwelling units.

Over one year later, no detached housing built following Champaign ordinance

Some residents expressed concern about a negative impact on neighborhoods when the city of Champaign passed a June 2022 ordinance to build additional, detached…

Continue ReadingOver one year later, no detached housing built following Champaign ordinance