Read more about the article Downtown Urbana’s new businesses contribute to area revival, but boom yet to comeDarrell Hoemann
Urbana Landmark Hotel, to be renamed Hotel Royer, undergoing remodeling on Friday, December 24, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Downtown Urbana’s new businesses contribute to area revival, but boom yet to come

The city of Urbana is once again trying to revitalize its downtown, but delays in business openings have left residents wondering when to expect…

Continue ReadingDowntown Urbana’s new businesses contribute to area revival, but boom yet to come
Read more about the article Garden Hills neighborhood improvements in full swingDarrell Hoemann
Garden Hills looking east on Paula Drive from Mattis Avenue on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Garden Hills neighborhood improvements in full swing

Neighborhood input “shaped” the design of the ongoing Garden Hills improvement project, of which the latest phase costs an estimated $35 million to install…

Continue ReadingGarden Hills neighborhood improvements in full swing
Read more about the article Campustown burglaries rise; Package theft plays big roleUniversity of Illinois Blog
The University of Illinois Police Department operates from the Public Safety Building, 1110 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana.

Campustown burglaries rise; Package theft plays big role

Nearly 400 burglaries in campustown, the area surrounding the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, have been reported on the daily crime log in the…

Continue ReadingCampustown burglaries rise; Package theft plays big role
Read more about the article Theft makes up one in every four crimes reported on the University of Illinois daily crime log in past three yearsNoah Cowell
The Public Safety Building where the University of Illinois Police Department operates.

Theft makes up one in every four crimes reported on the University of Illinois daily crime log in past three years

Theft-related crimes made up one in every four crimes reported on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s daily crime log in the past three…

Continue ReadingTheft makes up one in every four crimes reported on the University of Illinois daily crime log in past three years
Read more about the article Proposed plans to reduce prairie at Weaver Park ignites outcry among Urbana residents; Park district seeking further community input
The map of planned construction and amenities from the Weaver and Prairie Park Master Plan.

Proposed plans to reduce prairie at Weaver Park ignites outcry among Urbana residents; Park district seeking further community input

Blueprints shared by the Urbana Park District in June show plans to build over the prairie at Weaver Park to make room for six…

Continue ReadingProposed plans to reduce prairie at Weaver Park ignites outcry among Urbana residents; Park district seeking further community input
Read more about the article Many in Wilber Heights yet to apply for permits to repair homes after amendment of longtime zoning ordinanceNathalie Murillo
Aerial shot of Wilber Heights. Screenshot from Google Maps.

Many in Wilber Heights yet to apply for permits to repair homes after amendment of longtime zoning ordinance

For decades, Champaign County forbade its residents in Wilber Heights to make repairs to their homes, even when seriously damaged. But even after a…

Continue ReadingMany in Wilber Heights yet to apply for permits to repair homes after amendment of longtime zoning ordinance
Read more about the article ​​University of Illinois​ campus food pantries help struggling students, tackle stigma​; Groceries often more expensive on campus​ 
Bevier Cafe, at 905 S Goodwin Avenue in Urbana, runs the Everybody Eats program.

​​University of Illinois​ campus food pantries help struggling students, tackle stigma​; Groceries often more expensive on campus​ 

With grocery costs notably ​greater​ in the heart of campus, two University of Illinois programs are dedicated to providing food assistance to students in…

Continue Reading​​University of Illinois​ campus food pantries help struggling students, tackle stigma​; Groceries often more expensive on campus​ 
Read more about the article East Urbana residents have filed dozens of environmental complaints against Emulsicoat asphalt plant — and they’re not stoppingDarrell Hoemann
Emulsicoat, Inc exterior (705 E University Ave, Urbana, IL 61802) on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

East Urbana residents have filed dozens of environmental complaints against Emulsicoat asphalt plant — and they’re not stopping

East Urbana residents living near the Emulsicoat asphalt plant have complained of headaches, nausea and irritation of the throat, nose and eyes in a…

Continue ReadingEast Urbana residents have filed dozens of environmental complaints against Emulsicoat asphalt plant — and they’re not stopping
Read more about the article SafeWalks escorts drastically dropped over the last few years
A student patrol officer vehicle. The student patrol escort University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign community members via the SafeWalks program.

SafeWalks escorts drastically dropped over the last few years

SafeWalks, a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign program, ensures students and staff can walk back home safely at night, but the number of times…

Continue ReadingSafeWalks escorts drastically dropped over the last few years
Read more about the article Condemned Champaign apartments’ out-of-town owners facing two city lawsuits seeking reimbursementapartments.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.

Condemned Champaign apartments’ out-of-town owners facing two city lawsuits seeking reimbursement

Earlier this year, 35 buildings at the Champaign Park Apartments were condemned — prompting two lawsuits filed by the city against the owners after…

Continue ReadingCondemned Champaign apartments’ out-of-town owners facing two city lawsuits seeking reimbursement