Read more about the article Inconsistent garbage pickup angers Champaign residentsDarrell Hoemann
Republic Services exterior at 2801 N Willow Rd, Urbana, IL 61802) on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Inconsistent garbage pickup angers Champaign residents

The inconsistent pick up by some commercial garbage-hauling companies has been sharply criticized residents in the Champaign area. Despite an increase in complaints, no companies have received a fine from the city. The city also has no employee in the city’s public works department who is dedicated to dealing with complaints about waste haulers. 

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Read more about the article United Garden Hills lighting, flooding projects underway after years of resident complaintsUnited Garden Hills, Facebook
Flooding on Anita Dr. in the Garden Hills neighborhood in June 2021.

United Garden Hills lighting, flooding projects underway after years of resident complaints

In June, the city was awarded $25 million through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), a COVID-19 economic relief plan disbursing emergency funds. Half of the funds have already been given to the city, while the other half will be received next year. Kay Nees, finance director of the city, said the ARP was like a “key missing piece” in order to get to work on Garden Hills.  The two efforts, a drainage project to target flooding, and a lighting project to make the streets safer, have their own timeline, budget and design. The first phase of the drainage project has already been completed: creating greenspace to install detention basins. The city worked with residents to demolish properties that were frequently getting flooded to make room for detention basins.

Continue ReadingUnited Garden Hills lighting, flooding projects underway after years of resident complaints