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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 Urbana doubled bonuses paid to its workers in 2022; Total compensation for workers rose $1.4 million, a 6.64% increaseGoogle Maps Street View
Urbana City Building from Google Maps.

Urbana doubled bonuses paid to its workers in 2022; Total compensation for workers rose $1.4 million, a 6.64% increase

The amount of bonuses paid to Urbana employees doubled between the previous two fiscal years, city data shows.  During fiscal year 2021, 28 people…

Continue ReadingUrbana doubled bonuses paid to its workers in 2022; Total compensation for workers rose $1.4 million, a 6.64% increase
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 How bad are the streets of Champaign and Urbana? Pavement data detail poor quality and need for extensive repairsChris Sokolowski
A screenshot of the downtown Champaign area with road segments colored by their pavement condition index grade. Green represents good quality and red represents poor quality. Compiled by Chris Sokolowski.

How bad are the streets of Champaign and Urbana? Pavement data detail poor quality and need for extensive repairs

It's not rare to find postings on social media sites in Champaign and Urbana about potholes or crumbling roads causing damage to cars —…

Continue ReadingHow bad are the streets of Champaign and Urbana? Pavement data detail poor quality and need for extensive repairs
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 University Housing inspections strive to be thorough despite lack of local inspection processDarrell Hoemann
Illinois Street Residence (ISR) Halls, exterior (1010 W Illinois St, Urbana, IL 61801) on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

University Housing inspections strive to be thorough despite lack of local inspection process

Each year, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign maintenance crews inspect the conditions of its 17 undergraduate and graduate residence hall locations to correct the…

Continue ReadingUniversity Housing inspections strive to be thorough despite lack of local inspection process
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”
Read more about the article Champaign, Urbana intervening to combat American Water’s request to raise rates for residential customersGoogle Map Street View
Illinois American Water in Urbana at 1406 W Cardinal Court.

Champaign, Urbana intervening to combat American Water’s request to raise rates for residential customers

The mayors of the cities of Champaign and Urbana say the cities are filing documents to intervene in the efforts of Illinois American Water…

Continue ReadingChampaign, Urbana intervening to combat American Water’s request to raise rates for residential customers
Read more about the article Two years later, COVID breaks death records in Champaign County
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Two years later, COVID breaks death records in Champaign County

As the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic begins, cases plunge after the deadliest month for Champaign County just this year. Nearly 62,000 cases.…

Continue ReadingTwo years later, COVID breaks death records in Champaign County
Read more about the article Latest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national surveyLeapfrog
Carle Foundation Hospital declined to provide safety information to Leapfrog, a group of national experts that surveys thousands of hospitals to produce a safety grade and measure against national medical standards.

Latest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national survey

One area hospital's safety grade has declined since the pandemic began, and another withheld quality of care information from the organization.

Continue ReadingLatest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national survey