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Read more about the article Calculation of COVID-19 positivity rate by university produces lower numbers than state
The Illinois Department of Public Health reports 7-day rolling averages of the COVID-19 test positivity rate for each region of Illinois. Champaign County, home of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is part of region 6 which has experienced 8 days of positivity increases, reaching 12.2% on November 8.

Calculation of COVID-19 positivity rate by university produces lower numbers than state

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s revised calculation of the campus positivity rate of COVID-19 has potentially lowered the rate substantially by reducing the number of reported positive tests. Epidemiologists say the more accurate way to calculate positivity would be to divide unique positive tests by unique total tests, but that information is not always available.

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Read more about the article Limited funding prevents West Urbana brick sidewalks from being accessibleSydney Wood
A brick sidewalk in need of repair located near the intersection of South Busey Ave. near West California Ave. in Urbana. Photo taken November 2, 2020.

Limited funding prevents West Urbana brick sidewalks from being accessible

Despite ongoing major road construction within West Urbana, multiple stretches of brick sidewalks that do not meet the standards of the federal disability act will not be fixed. Urbana City Administrator Carol Mitten said the City doesn’t have the finances to correct every non-ADA compliant sidewalk in Urbana that is outside of MCORE’s construction zone.

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Read more about the article Lierman neighborhood continues to face difficulties to receive “quality of life”Lierman Neighborhood Community Garden - Facebook
The Lierman Neighborhood Community Garden posts photos of the community and events taking place in the garden regularly. Photo from Facebook in September 2020.

Lierman neighborhood continues to face difficulties to receive “quality of life”

A community garden in one Urbana neighborhood has helped its residents overcome two prevailing issues: crime and food insecurity.

Continue ReadingLierman neighborhood continues to face difficulties to receive “quality of life”
Read more about the article State database reveals details of Covid-19 outbreaks in Champaign County
Rantoul Foods in Rantoul, IL on Sunday, May 17, 2020. photo by Darrell Hoemann/The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

State database reveals details of Covid-19 outbreaks in Champaign County

Previously confidential statewide data tracking coronavirus cases across Illinois shows that there have been at least 50 different outbreaks in Champaign County traced to restaurants, stores, churches, nursing homes, hospitals and in a county office. The internal database kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health has tracked case counts for nearly 2,600 separate outbreaks across Illinois. In Champaign County, the number of cases in individual outbreaks ranges from two at the Carle Clinic in Mahomet to 97 at Rantoul Foods in Rantoul, which CU-CitizenAccess has previously reported. The database also listed cases at Cunningham Children’s Home (8) , Plastipak (14) and the Champaign County Jail in Urbana (4). The data also includes the ‘unofficial prom party’ in Champaign County where there were 17 confirmed Covid-19 cases. That prom party has been reported as being in Mahomet.

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Read more about the article Champaign County uninsured rate drops, but not everyone pleased with Affordable Care Act
Champaign residents have seen a variety of effects from the Affordable Care Act.

Champaign County uninsured rate drops, but not everyone pleased with Affordable Care Act

As debate continues in Congress over the future of healthcare, just what has the Affordable Care Act meant for people in Champaign County?

Continue ReadingChampaign County uninsured rate drops, but not everyone pleased with Affordable Care Act
Read more about the article CU-CitizenAccess.org celebrates Sunshine Week all year, every year

CU-CitizenAccess.org celebrates Sunshine Week all year, every year

From restaurant inspections and complaints about Housing Authority complexes to every arrest in Champaign-Urbana and tax incentive agreements, CU-CitizenAccess has provided much-needed transparency to a number of issues involving East Central Illinois in the past few years.

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Read more about the article Twenty food spots fail health inspectionsphoto by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
Huaraches Moroleon on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. The Mexican restaurant was temporarily closed in October after receiving an adjusted score of -40.

Twenty food spots fail health inspections

From campus town bars to Italian restaurants, 20 restaurants were closed or failed for serious health code violations during the last part of 2016.

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Read more about the article Domestic violence agencies shocked by lack of funds in stopgap budgetDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
From left: Elana Whitsitt, Oksana Whitsitt and Brooke Riddell organize gifts as volunteers gathered to wrap gifts for the women and children of Courage Connection at Trinity Lutheran Church, Urbana, Il on December 15, 2016.

Domestic violence agencies shocked by lack of funds in stopgap budget

“The state of Illinois expects us to spend more than half a million dollars and maybe – or maybe not – get reimbursed for it in this fiscal year,” said Isak Griffiths, the executive director of Courage Connection. “That's a huge burden to put on a social service agency.”

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Read more about the article Despite influx of funds, vacant housing increases in countyDarrell Hoemann/For CU-CitizenAccess.org
These houses at 206 and 208 S. Prospect Ave. were among dozens listed on the City of Champaign's vacant housing list as of Aug. 30. Photos taken on Sept. 20, 2016.

Despite influx of funds, vacant housing increases in county

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA: Since the housing market crashed in 2007, the cities of Champaign and Urbana have received more than $2 million in state and federal…

Continue ReadingDespite influx of funds, vacant housing increases in county