Read more about the article Federal civil rights investigation into University of Illinois web accessibility launched
A copy of the notification of a civil rights investigation launched by the Department of Education sent to Chancellor Robert Jones.

Federal civil rights investigation into University of Illinois web accessibility launched

The University of Illinois is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights because many university web pages are allegedly inaccessible to those with disabilities, according to an official notification sent to Chancellor Robert Jones on April 10.

Continue ReadingFederal civil rights investigation into University of Illinois web accessibility launched
Read more about the article Champaign County housing authority executive director hired in VirginiaDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
Ed Bland, the executive director of the Housing Authority of Champaign County, was hired in the same position in Portsmouth, Virginia, last week.

Champaign County housing authority executive director hired in Virginia

Ed Bland, the executive director of the Housing Authority of Champaign County, was hired in the same position in Portsmouth, Virginia, last week.

Continue ReadingChampaign County housing authority executive director hired in Virginia

University responds to CU-CitizenAccess, The Daily Illini investigation of sex crime reporting

The University of Illinois submitted the following op-ed in response to stories by CU-CitizenAccess and The Daily Illini about sexual assault on campus. CU-CitizenAccess is confident in the reporting on the issue. We will address the points made by the university in its letter in subsequent stories. The op-ed, from University police chief Jeff Christensen and Title IX Director Danielle Morrison, is published in full:

Continue ReadingUniversity responds to CU-CitizenAccess, The Daily Illini investigation of sex crime reporting
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 University officials delay in forwarding sex-related crimes to policeDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
An emergency phone on campus on April 6.

University officials delay in forwarding sex-related crimes to police

University officials neglected to forward student reports of sex offenses to university police for months, despite the requirement that all sex crimes be reported immediately, according to a CU-CitizenAccess and The Daily Illini analysis and interviews with the police department.

Continue ReadingUniversity officials delay in forwarding sex-related crimes to police
Read more about the article Clery Act numbers lag behind reported sex crimes on campusDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
The Take Back the Night march heads west on Green Street in Urbana on April 6.

Clery Act numbers lag behind reported sex crimes on campus

Officials have long said that sex offenses are underreported to authorities on campus, just as they are nationwide. But it has not been apparent that University officials are unable to track the number of sex-related crimes reported to them.

Continue ReadingClery Act numbers lag behind reported sex crimes on campus
Read more about the article Mass emails few, far between reported sex crimesDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess
An emergency phone at First and Kirby in Champaign on April 6.

Mass emails few, far between reported sex crimes

For three years, the University of Illinois campus police failed to send out mass email alerts on sex-related crimes, despite requirements to do so by the U.S. Department of Education, according to a CU-CitizenAccess and The Daily Illini analysis of police records.

Continue ReadingMass emails few, far between reported sex crimes
Read more about the article Current housing voucher program leaves applicants waitingFile photo
A U-Haul truck sits outside a building at Joann Dorsey Homes apartment complex on Sept. 1, 2011. Dozens of residents moved from the property as part of a redevelopment plan from the Housing Authority of Champaign County. The property has since been demolished. Housing authority officials have confirmed that they are holding dozens of housing vouchers in reserve for redevelopment projects that include Dorsey Homes. Housing advocates say that the vouchers should be distributed now to assist the more than 400 families on a waiting list for housing assistance.

Current housing voucher program leaves applicants waiting

At the Housing Authority of Champaign County, the first thing an applicant for housing must learn is to wait, especially when it comes to…

Continue ReadingCurrent housing voucher program leaves applicants waiting

CU-CitizenAccess to host conversation on local impact of Affordable Care Act

CU-CitizenAccess and the Knight Chair of Investigative Reporting, the Journalism Department at the College of Media, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with support from The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting, are hosting a public conversation on the local impact of Obamacare on May 2 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m at the Champaign Public Library.

Continue ReadingCU-CitizenAccess to host conversation on local impact of Affordable Care Act

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.

Continue ReadingCU-CitizenAccess.org celebrates Sunshine Week all year, every year