Neighborhoods
Read more about the article City’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhoodDarrell Hoemann
Sign for the Martin Luther King Subdivision neighborhood on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

City’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhood

During one of its quarterly neighborhood association meetings this year, the MLK Subdivision brainstormed about how to reduce speeding on its streets. Kerri Wiman, the director of the Champaign neighborhood services department, happened to be sitting in on the meeting. Hearing the group’s concerns, she decided to direct them to the Neighborhood Services Small Grant Program — and it helped get them results.

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Read more about the article Champaign shootings spread to westward neighborhoods over years, fueled by recent surge in gun violence

Champaign shootings spread to westward neighborhoods over years, fueled by recent surge in gun violence

Gun violence in Champaign has steadily marched westward over the past three years as shootings have increased in neighborhoods north and south of Springfield Avenue, especially in or near several apartment complexes, according to a review of police data over the past seven years by CU-CitizenAccess.org. With about two weeks left in this year, 16 people have lost their lives. In 2020, there were nine homicides, but only two in 2019. Shooting incidents more than doubled in Champaign since 2019, going from 100 shootings, to 189 in 2020, then to 251 by December 13.

Continue ReadingChampaign shootings spread to westward neighborhoods over years, fueled by recent surge in gun violence
Read more about the article Another record year for Champaign shootings warrants debate over causes, solutionsDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Another record year for Champaign shootings warrants debate over causes, solutions

Shootings continue at over 250 in a year that has already seen its highest number of shooting deaths ever recorded in the city, at 16 so far. The previous high of 9 occurred just last year, and even all the numbers that measure gun violence in Urbana have tripled in the past five years. Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said the rise in shooting incidents and homicides this year can be attributed to retaliation in a lot of cases. While retaliation may be to blame for a lot of the shootings, law enforcement officials and community leaders said it is not the only cause.

Continue ReadingAnother record year for Champaign shootings warrants debate over causes, solutions
Read more about the article Gun violence escalates in Urbana over past two years into “emergency” situationGoogle Maps Street View
Urbana City Building from Google Maps.

Gun violence escalates in Urbana over past two years into “emergency” situation

Only four years ago, Urbana police reported just 17 shooting incidents and no fatalities. The numbers doubled by the end of 2019, and have nearly doubled in each of the two years since, according to an analysis of police data by CU-CitizenAccess.  Out of the 99 shootings through November, at least 21 individuals were injured, meaning that when combined with homicides, one-in-three people were killed or wounded when shots were fired.

Continue ReadingGun violence escalates in Urbana over past two years into “emergency” situation
Read more about the article Clark Park residents express concern over accessory dwelling unit regulationaccessorydwellings.org
A backyard Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) from accessorydwellings.org, which is cited by Champaign to learn more information about ADUs.

Clark Park residents express concern over accessory dwelling unit regulation

Some property owners are expressing concern about accessory dwelling units — small buildings on single housing property — while Champaign city officials move towards approving them. To gauge Champaign’s interest in ADUs, City Planning sent out a survey in mid-August with questions about ADUs and what they might look like in Champaign. About 65% to 70% of about 1,500 participants seemed to indicate interest and support for ADUs.

Continue ReadingClark Park residents express concern over accessory dwelling unit regulation
Read more about the article United Garden Hills lighting, flooding projects underway after years of resident complaintsUnited Garden Hills, Facebook
Flooding on Anita Dr. in the Garden Hills neighborhood in June 2021.

United Garden Hills lighting, flooding projects underway after years of resident complaints

In June, the city was awarded $25 million through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), a COVID-19 economic relief plan disbursing emergency funds. Half of the funds have already been given to the city, while the other half will be received next year. Kay Nees, finance director of the city, said the ARP was like a “key missing piece” in order to get to work on Garden Hills.  The two efforts, a drainage project to target flooding, and a lighting project to make the streets safer, have their own timeline, budget and design. The first phase of the drainage project has already been completed: creating greenspace to install detention basins. The city worked with residents to demolish properties that were frequently getting flooded to make room for detention basins.

Continue ReadingUnited Garden Hills lighting, flooding projects underway after years of resident complaints
Read more about the article Champaign residents seek litter solutions after delayed city cleanup efforts, untracked complaints
Trash lines the bus stop next to Walmart on North Prospect Ave. in Champaign on April 5, 2021. Photo by Dylan Tiger.

Champaign residents seek litter solutions after delayed city cleanup efforts, untracked complaints

Champaign residents erupted on social media in early March about the excess litter in the Champaign area, especially North Prospect, with some claiming they have never seen the city so polluted before. In late spring this year, resident Michael Chrasta expects “a revival” of the Loving Our City cleanup initiative that was cancelled in March 2020 as COVID-19 entered the community.

Continue ReadingChampaign residents seek litter solutions after delayed city cleanup efforts, untracked complaints
Read more about the article Gunfire incidents get closer to home for Holiday Park neighborhoodDarrell Hoemann
Street scene in the Holiday Park area of Champaign, IL on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. View is looking south on Kenwood Road and Maplewood Drive. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Gunfire incidents get closer to home for Holiday Park neighborhood

Residents of the Holiday Park neighborhood in west Champaign have been experiencing an increase in gun incidents, and residents say sounds of gunfire is now a ‘normality’ for this area. According to Tom Yelich, public information officer at the Champaign Police Department, there have been 174 shooting incidents as of November 23. This number is the highest the city has seen in the last five years.

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Read more about the article Garden Hills neighborhood faces dark times, literally and figuratively
The intersection of Mattis Ave. and Paula Dr. in Champaign lacks street lighting most of the way down Paula Dr. in the Garden Hills neighborhood.

Garden Hills neighborhood faces dark times, literally and figuratively

The city’s multi-decade improvement plan for Garden Hills has increased the community residents’ trepidation as they see general deterioration and an abundance of issues piling up while the city’s improvement efforts appear to have slowed. “We’re just not a priority, let’s put it that way,” resident Amy Revilla said.

Continue ReadingGarden Hills neighborhood faces dark times, literally and figuratively
Read more about the article South Willis neighborhood creates togetherness in a time of isolationGoogle Street View
The intersection of Green St. and Willis Ave. on Google Street View, last updated in October 2015.

South Willis neighborhood creates togetherness in a time of isolation

With the South Willis area relying heavily on community-centered events and interactions, the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for neighbors to interact and participate in activities like they have in the past. Despite these challenges, they have found a way to come together in an even stronger way during these unprecedented times.

Continue ReadingSouth Willis neighborhood creates togetherness in a time of isolation