Neighborhoods
Read more about the article Champaign community news, culture sites filling gaps left by shrinking traditional mediaMadyson Magnus
Former newsroom and offices of The News-Gazette at 15 E. Main St. in Champaign in April 2026. Photo by Madyson Magnus.

Champaign community news, culture sites filling gaps left by shrinking traditional media

On Main Street in downtown Champaign, the former News-Gazette building still stands, like a mausoleum to what is known as legacy news. Its signage…

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Read more about the article Retaliation, conflict factors in several Champaign shooting deathsDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Retaliation, conflict factors in several Champaign shooting deaths

Three summers ago, what began as a parking lot fight turned into a shooting where one man was killed and one woman was injured. …

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Read more about the article Champaign teams with violence prevention organization to head off shootings 
A map of shooting incidents in Champaign where someone was shot and killed from Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2025. Data was obtained from Champaign Police Department.

Champaign teams with violence prevention organization to head off shootings 

The City of Champaign is starting a new street outreach program with the help of a nonprofit private firm specializing in violence prevention. The…

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Read more about the article Champaign police met with Shadow Wood residents to calm growing fear over immigration enforcement, ICEKennedy Williams
The exterior of a home in Shadow Wood. Photo by Kennedy Williams.

Champaign police met with Shadow Wood residents to calm growing fear over immigration enforcement, ICE

Residents at Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park, a community with many Spanish-speaking residents, have been meeting with Champaign police over concerns about immigration enforcement.…

Continue ReadingChampaign police met with Shadow Wood residents to calm growing fear over immigration enforcement, ICE
Read more about the article Upgrades planned for Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park, but little city involvementJose Diaz / For CU-CitizenAccess
The Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park has seen many changes during the past two decades, most notably a dramatic increase in its Hispanic population and a reduction in crime.

Upgrades planned for Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park, but little city involvement

The manager at Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park said they are continuing to focus on maintenance and upgrades to streets throughout the neighborhood, which…

Continue ReadingUpgrades planned for Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park, but little city involvement
Read more about the article Plan for storm shelter in Shadow Wood mobile home park no longer under discussionRoger Morales/Hoy
The entrance to Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park. File photo.

Plan for storm shelter in Shadow Wood mobile home park no longer under discussion

City plans made over a decade ago to incorporate a storm shelter for vulnerable mobile home park residents at Shadow Wood in Champaign have…

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Read more about the article Garden Hills navigates roadblocks to reach long-awaited neighborhood improvements Mazie Gierat
The pavement on Paula Drive and Mattis Avenue was removed for installation of storm sewers, in Garden Hills Nov. 6, 2025. Photo by Mazie Gierat. 

Garden Hills navigates roadblocks to reach long-awaited neighborhood improvements 

For years, members of the United Garden Hills Neighborhood Association have met monthly at the fire station on Paula Drive to discuss community improvements,…

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Read more about the article Despite neighborhood opposition, Champaign moves forward with Hill Street multifamily permitCity of Champaign
Aerial view of 919 W Hill St and notified properties within 250+ ft, provided by the City of Champaign, Jan. 28, 2025.

Despite neighborhood opposition, Champaign moves forward with Hill Street multifamily permit

The City of Champaign approved a special use permit to allow a four-unit apartment building at 919 W. Hill St. despite ongoing concerns from…

Continue ReadingDespite neighborhood opposition, Champaign moves forward with Hill Street multifamily permit
Read more about the article Ameren states contaminated gas plant cleanup in Fifth and Hill neighborhood nearly complete, but advocates question resultsA. Oishii Basu
The “No Trespassing” sign on the fence of the former manufactured gas plant site at the corner of Fifth and Hill streets in Champaign, Illinois on Sept. 15, 2025. Photo by A. Oishii Basu.

Ameren states contaminated gas plant cleanup in Fifth and Hill neighborhood nearly complete, but advocates question results

Read an extended Q&A with Claudia Lennhoff, executive director of Champaign County Health Care Consumers, about the history of the site and the research…

Continue ReadingAmeren states contaminated gas plant cleanup in Fifth and Hill neighborhood nearly complete, but advocates question results
Read more about the article Q&A: Claudia Lennhoff on the history of the contaminated Fifth and Hill site of former Ameren manufactured gas plantA. Oishii Basu
The warning sign on the fence of the former manufactured gas plant site at the corner of Fifth and Hill streets in Champaign, Illinois on Sept. 15, 2025. Photo by A. Oishii Basu.

Q&A: Claudia Lennhoff on the history of the contaminated Fifth and Hill site of former Ameren manufactured gas plant

A spokesperson for the utility and energy company Ameren said in October it is a few months away from finishing the lengthy environmental cleanup…

Continue ReadingQ&A: Claudia Lennhoff on the history of the contaminated Fifth and Hill site of former Ameren manufactured gas plant