Public Funds
Read more about the article Champaign County put brakes on “mystery” data centers; joins state, other communities’ efforts to pause construction of centersChampaign County Board
Andrew Rehn, director of climate policy at Prairie Rivers Network, speaks at the April 23, 2026 county board meeting about data centers. Screenshot from meeting video captured April 28.

Champaign County put brakes on “mystery” data centers; joins state, other communities’ efforts to pause construction of centers

Last week, Champaign County officials voted to establish a one-year moratorium on new data centers on April 23, following “serious” inquiries into new developments…

Continue ReadingChampaign County put brakes on “mystery” data centers; joins state, other communities’ efforts to pause construction of centers
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…

Continue ReadingChampaign teams with violence prevention organization to head off shootings 
Read more about the article Plan called for major improvements to Copper Slough waterway two decades ago, but Champaign has had to focus on upstream flooding
A map of the Copper Slough waterway from the 2007 master plan.

Plan called for major improvements to Copper Slough waterway two decades ago, but Champaign has had to focus on upstream flooding

In 2004, an engineering study for the City of Champaign called for a $25.9 million overhaul of a central waterway and watershed called the…

Continue ReadingPlan called for major improvements to Copper Slough waterway two decades ago, but Champaign has had to focus on upstream flooding
Read more about the article Long waits for appointments at social security district office persist, but recipients report faster service once appointment madeDarrell Hoemann
Champaign Social Security office exterior at 101 S. Country Fair Drive in Champaign on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Long waits for appointments at social security district office persist, but recipients report faster service once appointment made

Getting an appointment at Champaign’s social security district office continues to take 30 days or more, but some recipients report that once they are…

Continue ReadingLong waits for appointments at social security district office persist, but recipients report faster service once appointment made
Read more about the article Hundreds of Illinois railroad crossings have minimal protections — and upgrades may take yearsGoogle Street View
The railroad crossing in Danforth, Iroquois County, Illinois where Aaron Pittman-Teague died after being struck by a train while plowing snow in January 2025. Screenshot from Google Street View.

Hundreds of Illinois railroad crossings have minimal protections — and upgrades may take years

Aaron Pittman-Teague died after being struck by a Canadian National train while plowing snow just north of Danforth, Illinois on Jan. 6, 2025.  There…

Continue ReadingHundreds of Illinois railroad crossings have minimal protections — and upgrades may take years
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,…

Continue ReadingGarden Hills navigates roadblocks to reach long-awaited neighborhood improvements 
Read more about the article SNAP benefits resume, but new work requirements threaten thousands of recipients in Champaign CountyChampaign-Urbana Public Health District
A portion of the map of food pantries and other resources from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District's website.

SNAP benefits resume, but new work requirements threaten thousands of recipients in Champaign County

As SNAP benefits are back following a 43-day government shutdown, millions of recipients may have to meet new work requirements to continue receiving them. …

Continue ReadingSNAP benefits resume, but new work requirements threaten thousands of recipients in Champaign County
Read more about the article MLK Subdivision residents seek more signage to address speeding, traffic safety concernsDarrell Hoemann
MLK Subdivision in Champaign, IL on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

MLK Subdivision residents seek more signage to address speeding, traffic safety concerns

Residents of the Martin Luther King Subdivision have voiced increasing concerns about speeding and traffic safety in their Champaign neighborhood. “Our neighborhood is very…

Continue ReadingMLK Subdivision residents seek more signage to address speeding, traffic safety concerns
Read more about the article Champaign neighborhood small grants fund more cleanup and beautification events
Residents of Karla Condos in Champaign gather at the dumpster funded by the city's Neighborhood Small Grant Program on Oct. 11, 2025. Photo from the November 2025 Neighborhood Leaders Monthly e-Newsletter.

Champaign neighborhood small grants fund more cleanup and beautification events

In October, the Karla Condos neighborhood was able to host a cleanup event because of a small grant from the City of Champaign.  The…

Continue ReadingChampaign neighborhood small grants fund more cleanup and beautification events
Read more about the article Head Start expansion lags as staffing shortages slow rollout in east central Illinois communitiesGoogle Street View
The Danville-Vorhees center, where Head Start services are scheduled to close at the end of the year. Screenshot from Google Street View.

Head Start expansion lags as staffing shortages slow rollout in east central Illinois communities

Almost one year after promising to bring Head Start services to hundreds more children across rural east central Illinois, the Champaign County Regional Planning…

Continue ReadingHead Start expansion lags as staffing shortages slow rollout in east central Illinois communities