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…

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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
Read more about the article Soil, site cleanup required for new apartment complex at site of demolished C.S. Johnson factoryPatrick Mahoney
The former CS Johnson factory site was recently demolished to make way for eight apartment buildings. Photo by Patrick Mahoney.

Soil, site cleanup required for new apartment complex at site of demolished C.S. Johnson factory

Site cleanup and soil work are part of the environmental work required to develop a new eight-building apartment complex on the site of the…

Continue ReadingSoil, site cleanup required for new apartment complex at site of demolished C.S. Johnson factory
Read more about the article Champaign County task force approves $161,000 in new opioid settlement spending
A pie chart from the Illinois Opioid Settlements website shows how more than $531 million in settlement payments have been allocated statewide to date. The remediation fund receives the largest share at 55%, followed by 33% to local governments and 12% to the state. Screenshot on Nov. 3, 2025.

Champaign County task force approves $161,000 in new opioid settlement spending

Champaign County’s Opioid Settlement Task Force approved about $161,000 in new spending this week toward emergency medical equipment for fire protection districts across the…

Continue ReadingChampaign County task force approves $161,000 in new opioid settlement spending
Read more about the article Urbana quietly closed its open data portal. Suddenly several public safety datasets were gone.
The City of Urbana now uploads public data to the Illinois Open Data Portal after discontinuing its city-managed portal earlier this year. Screenshot taken Nov. 11, 2025.

Urbana quietly closed its open data portal. Suddenly several public safety datasets were gone.

Without notice to the public, the Urbana Open Data Portal was shut down after nearly 10 years of service.  Urbana residents and the general…

Continue ReadingUrbana quietly closed its open data portal. Suddenly several public safety datasets were gone.
Read more about the article Champaign’s revamped SLEEP program added hundreds of lights, cameras after Garden Hills pilot programMike Rock
Yard lights in the Garden Hills neighborhood illuminate the street. The City of Champaign's SLEEP program added hundreds of lights to the Garden Hills neighborhood between 2022 and 2023. Photo by Mike Rock.

Champaign’s revamped SLEEP program added hundreds of lights, cameras after Garden Hills pilot program

The Safety Lighting Energy Efficiency Program (SLEEP), originally designed to improve outdoor lighting and security in the Garden Hills neighborhood in 2019, got new…

Continue ReadingChampaign’s revamped SLEEP program added hundreds of lights, cameras after Garden Hills pilot program
Read more about the article Urbana pushes to revitalize Philo Road area amid ongoing crime concerns Andrew Burkey
The intersection of Philo Road and East Amber Lane. Photo taken Oct. 30, 2025 by Andrew Burkey.

Urbana pushes to revitalize Philo Road area amid ongoing crime concerns 

After years of economic downturn, vacant storefronts and aging infrastructure, the City of Urbana is once again setting its sights on reviving the once-thriving…

Continue ReadingUrbana pushes to revitalize Philo Road area amid ongoing crime concerns