Read more about the article Champaign and Urbana shootings fall since 2021 peak; cities pondering what preventive programs workedDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Champaign and Urbana shootings fall since 2021 peak; cities pondering what preventive programs worked

In the past eight years, Champaign and Urbana witnessed a steep hike in gun violence and then a swift decline after 2021 — but…

Continue ReadingChampaign and Urbana shootings fall since 2021 peak; cities pondering what preventive programs worked
Read more about the article Champaign gunshot detection tech not meeting expectationsChampaign City Council
The city council voted 6-3 on a resolution "Authorizing the Purchase and Installation of Automated License Plate Readers, Gunshot Detection, and Related Equipment from Flock Group, Inc.," in December 2021.

Champaign gunshot detection tech not meeting expectations

On February 13 this year, a one-year pilot program began in Champaign with Raven gunshot detection technology. Records obtained in a Freedom of Information…

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Read more about the article Residents complain about continuing early morning garbage pick-ups, but cities fail to find remediesGoogle Maps Street View
Republic Services Waste Transfer at 921 Saline Ct, Urbana. Image from Google Maps Street View.

Residents complain about continuing early morning garbage pick-ups, but cities fail to find remedies

https://youtu.be/1yeXSeADVVE Video captured by Kate Maguire. Loud booming and crashing sounds of waste hauler trucks emptying bins can start before dawn in Urbana —…

Continue ReadingResidents complain about continuing early morning garbage pick-ups, but cities fail to find remedies
Read more about the article Rising Champaign housing complaints detail violations; Champaign Park Apartments received most in past two yearsapartments.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.

Rising Champaign housing complaints detail violations; Champaign Park Apartments received most in past two years

Over the past year, Champaign Park Apartments had so many serious inspection issues that led to the condemnation of 393 units and an unknown,…

Continue ReadingRising Champaign housing complaints detail violations; Champaign Park Apartments received most in past two years
Read more about the article Downtown for sale: Vacant and derelict buildings wait for new owners and development plans
29 E Main St - Spring 2022

Downtown for sale: Vacant and derelict buildings wait for new owners and development plans

Abandoned and vacant buildings abound in downtown Champaign after three years of pandemic closures, business failures, downsizing and moves, a street-by-street survey by CU-CitizenAccess…

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Read more about the article How bad are the streets of Champaign and Urbana? Pavement data detail poor quality and need for extensive repairsChris Sokolowski
A screenshot of the downtown Champaign area with road segments colored by their pavement condition index grade. Green represents good quality and red represents poor quality. Compiled by Chris Sokolowski.

How bad are the streets of Champaign and Urbana? Pavement data detail poor quality and need for extensive repairs

It's not rare to find postings on social media sites in Champaign and Urbana about potholes or crumbling roads causing damage to cars —…

Continue ReadingHow bad are the streets of Champaign and Urbana? Pavement data detail poor quality and need for extensive repairs
Read more about the article Record-breaking numbers in C-U elicit $3.2 million annual gun violence reduction plan
A map of shootings in Champaign overlaid with color-coded community indicators from Jan. 1, 2016 to Nov. 15, 2021. These indicators consider area demographics such as race and household income, and are outlined in the city's community violence reduction blueprint.

Record-breaking numbers in C-U elicit $3.2 million annual gun violence reduction plan

The City of Champaign is implementing a multi-million-dollar plan to combat local gun violence focusing spending on its street outreach program intended to aid…

Continue ReadingRecord-breaking numbers in C-U elicit $3.2 million annual gun violence reduction plan
Read more about the article Of 50 victims, young minorities harmed most by flurry of Champaign gun violence
A map of shootings in Champaign from Jan. 1, 2016 to Nov. 15, 2021. It was released in the Community Violence Reduction Blueprint, which was released in February 2022.

Of 50 victims, young minorities harmed most by flurry of Champaign gun violence

There were 50 lethal shootings in the city of Champaign between 2015 and the first half of 2022. Of those 50 victims, 15 were…

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Read more about the article Champaign, Urbana intervening to combat American Water’s request to raise rates for residential customersGoogle Map Street View
Illinois American Water in Urbana at 1406 W Cardinal Court.

Champaign, Urbana intervening to combat American Water’s request to raise rates for residential customers

The mayors of the cities of Champaign and Urbana say the cities are filing documents to intervene in the efforts of Illinois American Water…

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Read more about the article West Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system
Image Source: USNC

West Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s proposal for deploying a micro nuclear reactor in west Urbana has sparked concern among local residents, who are…

Continue ReadingWest Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system