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Read more about the article Two Champaign restaurants failed inspections in MarchContributed/Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
A draft version of a reinspection notice. Public health officials are drafting ordinances that would require food establishments to post a color-coded placard that indicates the results of each health inspection. Yellow means the food establishment failed its health inspection with an adjusted score below 36 and but can remain open pending a reinspection within 30 days.

Two Champaign restaurants failed inspections in March

By Pam G. Dempsey/CU-CitizenAccess.org -- Two restaurants failed restaurant inspections in March, according to the latest health inspection records released this month. The Champaign-Urbana…

Continue ReadingTwo Champaign restaurants failed inspections in March
Read more about the article Few restaurants netted top scores on health inspectionsContributed/C-U Public Health District
A picture of a proposed color-coded placard that indicates compliance with local public health ordinances. Public Health officials are looking at ways to make inspection results more public.

Few restaurants netted top scores on health inspections

By Pam G. Dempsey/CU-CitizenAccess -- Just 29 Champaign County eateries ranked in the top scoring health inspections over the past six months, a new CU-CitizenAccess.org…

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Read more about the article CU-CitizenAccess receives national award for project highlighting racial issues in Central IllinoisSam Vega/Hoy

CU-CitizenAccess receives national award for project highlighting racial issues in Central Illinois

CU-CitizenAccess.org has won a national investigative journalism award for its collaborative project with Hoy Chicago looking at changing demographics and racial issues in Central…

Continue ReadingCU-CitizenAccess receives national award for project highlighting racial issues in Central Illinois
Read more about the article Weekly RoundUp: ImmigrationFile Photo / CU-CitizenAccess.org
Arturo Zendeja speaks with a customer at his restaurant in July at his restaurant, El Taco Tako, 202 S. Chestnut St., Arcola, Ill. Zendeja and his wife, Maria, moved to Arcola 12 years ago. Arturo is a native of Cadereyta Jimenez in Mexico. They are part of a growing Latino population in the area, which is known for its broomcorn.

Weekly RoundUp: Immigration

The C-U Immigration Forum organized a candelight vigil and march in Champaign, Ill. this week to show support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. On Wednesday,…

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Read more about the article Concerns resurface over contaminated groundwaterDanielle Sheppard
The 2.4 acre grassy, fenced-off area at the intersection of Fifth and Hill streets is the site of a former manufactured-gas plant, owned by Ameren Illinois.

Concerns resurface over contaminated groundwater

By Elise King / For CU-CitizenAccess.org -- A grassroots organization still has concerns about the contaminated groundwater at the toxic site located at the…

Continue ReadingConcerns resurface over contaminated groundwater
Read more about the article Last years can be the best, says Douglass Seniors presidentDanielle Sheppard
From Left to Right Ophelia Phillips, Dollie Anderson and Larry Parker participating in a chair exercise class at the Douglas Annex on April 10, 2013

Last years can be the best, says Douglass Seniors president

By Emily Siner/ For CU-CitizenAccess.org --  Irene Phillips doesn’t do things half-heartedly. She doesn’t just sing in her church choir – she’s one of…

Continue ReadingLast years can be the best, says Douglass Seniors president
Read more about the article Six restaurants temporarily shut down after failing health inspectionsPhoto provided/The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
Example of a color-coded placard that restaurants would be required to post under a proposed plan to make inspection results more public. Red means that the restaurant's health permit was suspended following a health inspection.

Six restaurants temporarily shut down after failing health inspections

By CU-CitizenAccess.org staff Twenty-one restaurants in Champaign County failed health inspections in the last six  months, with critical violations ranging from improper storage of…

Continue ReadingSix restaurants temporarily shut down after failing health inspections