Public Funds
Read more about the article Construction at Bristol Place senior apartments nearly complete, residents getting on wait listKatie Ratke
Bristol Place Senior Residences exterior construction progress on Sept. 15, 2025.

Construction at Bristol Place senior apartments nearly complete, residents getting on wait list

Over 10 years after Champaign began redeveloping the Bristol Park neighborhood, a 60-unit affordable senior apartment building at Bristol Place is nearly complete. Construction…

Continue ReadingConstruction at Bristol Place senior apartments nearly complete, residents getting on wait list
Read more about the article Champaign County spends over $700,000 from opioid settlement funds on local health, housing programs 
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 spends over $700,000 from opioid settlement funds on local health, housing programs 

Champaign County has directed over $700,000 in funds over the past two years from national opioid settlements to housing, health and safety supplies, medical…

Continue ReadingChampaign County spends over $700,000 from opioid settlement funds on local health, housing programs 
Read more about the article Following Philo Road’s major business closures, Urbana launches revitalization planMadyson Magnus
A “For Sale” sign with a reduced asking price stands amid a vacant property along Philo Road in Urbana, highlighting the corridor’s ongoing struggles with business closures and redevelopment challenges. Photo by Madyson Magnus.

Following Philo Road’s major business closures, Urbana launches revitalization plan

First it was County Market in 2016.  Next it was Family Video in 2021 and Burger King in 2024. Soon after, Walgreens, CVS and…

Continue ReadingFollowing Philo Road’s major business closures, Urbana launches revitalization plan
Read more about the article Waitlist for affordable housing projects in Champaign County far exceeds the number of vouchers availableGoogle Street View
The Housing Authority of Champaign County, located at 2008 N. Market St. in Champaign. Photo from Google Street View, captured August 2023.

Waitlist for affordable housing projects in Champaign County far exceeds the number of vouchers available

Low- to moderate-income residents are currently living in about 1,000 housing units supported by vouchers through the Housing Authority of Champaign County — but…

Continue ReadingWaitlist for affordable housing projects in Champaign County far exceeds the number of vouchers available
Read more about the article DOGE reports cutting almost $50 million in grants for University of Illinois Jessie Wang
The National Soybean Research Center at 1101 W Peabody Drive, where the Soybean Innovation Lab operates, on Feb. 11, 2025. Photo by Jessie Wang.

DOGE reports cutting almost $50 million in grants for University of Illinois 

Tens of millions in grant funding awarded to the University of Illinois System was listed among the federal funding cuts on the Department of…

Continue ReadingDOGE reports cutting almost $50 million in grants for University of Illinois 
Read more about the article Champaign County energy assistance program faces uncertain future amid federal cutsMariana Quezada
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program office at the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission at 1776 E. Washington St. in Urbana on May 7, 2025.

Champaign County energy assistance program faces uncertain future amid federal cuts

An energy assistance program for low-income residents in Champaign County is bracing for future funding shortfalls after federal budget cuts halted new applications and…

Continue ReadingChampaign County energy assistance program faces uncertain future amid federal cuts
Read more about the article Summer electricity bills to rise 20% in C-U area; Champaign plans to reinstate utility assistance program after one year suspension
The Ameren Illinois service zone and the grid operator's zone covers much of the same territory. Source: Ambit Energy Pros (Left), MISO Planning Resource Auction for Planning Year 2025/26 Results (Right) 

Summer electricity bills to rise 20% in C-U area; Champaign plans to reinstate utility assistance program after one year suspension

Residential energy bills this summer are expected to increase about 20% beginning in June.  On April 28, the grid operator in central and southern…

Continue ReadingSummer electricity bills to rise 20% in C-U area; Champaign plans to reinstate utility assistance program after one year suspension
Read more about the article Insect flight research at the University of Illinois among 32 targeted grants labeled DEI by Sen. Ted CruzJessie Wang
Protestors gathered for a March For Science on April 22 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Photo by Jessie Wang.

Insect flight research at the University of Illinois among 32 targeted grants labeled DEI by Sen. Ted Cruz

$66 million in 32 grants.  This is the amount of federal grant funding the University of Illinois receives that was targeted as diversity, equity…

Continue ReadingInsect flight research at the University of Illinois among 32 targeted grants labeled DEI by Sen. Ted Cruz
Read more about the article ‘It’s amazing they function at all’: social security recipients and workers brace for cutsDarrell 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

‘It’s amazing they function at all’: social security recipients and workers brace for cuts

For Kiel Hodges, replacing a lost Social Security card has turned into a five-week ordeal with three office visits.  "I need it to get…

Continue Reading‘It’s amazing they function at all’: social security recipients and workers brace for cuts