champaign county
Read more about the article Trains often carry hazardous materials through Champaign County, but public kept in dark because of security concernsJ. Sidney Malone
An employee delivers orders at the Neil Street Culver's that stands less than 15 yards from railroad tracks carrying hazardous material. Beyond the tracks is the Illinois Fire Service Institute, which trains to handle hazardous material incidents.

Trains often carry hazardous materials through Champaign County, but public kept in dark because of security concerns

A train passes through Champaign County every fifteen minutes, many of which carry flammable, corrosive and hazardous materials.  The recent disaster in East Palestine,…

Continue ReadingTrains often carry hazardous materials through Champaign County, but public kept in dark because of security concerns
Read more about the article Champaign and Urbana police still mostly white despite repeated attempts at racial diversityDarrell Hoemann
The window for the Urbana Police Department office inside the Urbana City Hall on Thursday, September 4, 2014. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Champaign and Urbana police still mostly white despite repeated attempts at racial diversity

Despite years of pledges and efforts to bring racial diversity to their departments, only 31 of 203 employees — or 15% — at the…

Continue ReadingChampaign and Urbana police still mostly white despite repeated attempts at racial diversity
Read more about the article Champaign police increase residency bonus but most officers still prefer to live out of town; Other area departments show similar patternDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Champaign police increase residency bonus but most officers still prefer to live out of town; Other area departments show similar pattern

Most employees of the Champaign and Urbana police departments live outside the cities they serve, even when lucrative bonuses are offered, records show. More…

Continue ReadingChampaign police increase residency bonus but most officers still prefer to live out of town; Other area departments show similar pattern
Read more about the article Over 100 restaurants failed inspections in Champaign County in the past two years, but failures hard to find in online database
Ambar India on Wright Street in Urbana received a red placard in January 2021. Screenshot from Google Street View.

Over 100 restaurants failed inspections in Champaign County in the past two years, but failures hard to find in online database

After a routine inspection, only 10 restaurants were closed due to non-compliance with safety regulations and 116 restaurants received food safety alerts for less…

Continue ReadingOver 100 restaurants failed inspections in Champaign County in the past two years, but failures hard to find in online database
Read more about the article COVID’s toll in Champaign County as emergency ends: 325 deaths, 86,946 cases, unknown number of long haulersPam Dempsey/CU-CitizenAccess.org
A tent and signs indicate a Covid-19 testing site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Alice Campbell Alumni Center on Friday, July 31, 2020. The University is conducting free saliva tests for faculty, staff and students with results typically known within 48 hours.

COVID’s toll in Champaign County as emergency ends: 325 deaths, 86,946 cases, unknown number of long haulers

As the COVID-19 pandemic emergency measures ended this month, Champaign County had reported 325 COVID-related deaths from 86,946 cases over the past three years.…

Continue ReadingCOVID’s toll in Champaign County as emergency ends: 325 deaths, 86,946 cases, unknown number of long haulers
Read more about the article State data gives early warning of layoffs from larger companies, but lost jobs from small businesses go uncounted

State data gives early warning of layoffs from larger companies, but lost jobs from small businesses go uncounted

A few months ago, Everyday Kitchen on Neil Street in Champaign suddenly announced its closing after over four years in business. But if one…

Continue ReadingState data gives early warning of layoffs from larger companies, but lost jobs from small businesses go uncounted
Read more about the article Some Champaign landlords limit use of vouchers as income, meaning it’s harder for low-income families to rent; But Urbana landlords accept vouchers
Housing Authority of Champaign County, located at 2008 N Market St in Champaign. Image from Google Maps Street View.

Some Champaign landlords limit use of vouchers as income, meaning it’s harder for low-income families to rent; But Urbana landlords accept vouchers

Champaign landlords are reluctant to consider federal housing vouchers as income, prompting many to not accept vouchers — but Urbana’s laws protect tenants from…

Continue ReadingSome Champaign landlords limit use of vouchers as income, meaning it’s harder for low-income families to rent; But Urbana landlords accept vouchers
Read more about the article Central Illinois police training for mental health cases questioned, involuntary commitment issues remainDarrell Hoemann
Tisha Bryson at her home in central Illinois on Saturday, June 4, 2022. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Central Illinois police training for mental health cases questioned, involuntary commitment issues remain

Tisha Bryson has been shackled, hospitalized and shoved to the ground by central Illinois law enforcement officers more times than she can count while…

Continue ReadingCentral Illinois police training for mental health cases questioned, involuntary commitment issues remain
Read more about the article Lack of funding forces end of public health district housing, food assistance for COVID-positive residents
Screenshot of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District's COVID-19 dashboard taken on August 1, 2022.

Lack of funding forces end of public health district housing, food assistance for COVID-positive residents

Come mid-August, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will no longer offer food and housing assistance to those who have tested positive for the COVID-19…

Continue ReadingLack of funding forces end of public health district housing, food assistance for COVID-positive residents
Read more about the article As national labor shortage drags on, local businesses and workers suffer consequences of the “Great Resignation”Taylor Ramirez
19-year-old Kaitlyn Lassy is wrapping silverware during her night shift as a waitress on Friday, February 11, 2022 at 4 AM at Merry Ann's, a 24-hour diner in Champaign, Ill. to help prepare her coworkers for their 6 AM shift.

As national labor shortage drags on, local businesses and workers suffer consequences of the “Great Resignation”

Running a business is never easy, but it’s gotten a lot harder during what’s been dubbed the “Great Resignation” – the nationwide pandemic-induced labor shortage. Locally, many business owners aren’t sure that they’ll ever be able to bounce back. 

Continue ReadingAs national labor shortage drags on, local businesses and workers suffer consequences of the “Great Resignation”