Government
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 Longtime Champaign attorney’s compensation rose $100,000 before retirement; Total compensation for all city staff rose 4.5%
Champaign city building on 102 N Neil St. Screenshot from Google Street View.

Longtime Champaign attorney’s compensation rose $100,000 before retirement; Total compensation for all city staff rose 4.5%

Before retiring last May, Champaign’s City Attorney Frederick Stavins’s compensation rose about $100,000 compared with the previous fiscal year, data shows. The total compensation…

Continue ReadingLongtime Champaign attorney’s compensation rose $100,000 before retirement; Total compensation for all city staff rose 4.5%
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 Record-breaking numbers in C-U elicit $3.2 million annual gun violence reduction plan
A map of shootings in Champaign overlaid with color-coded community indicators from Jan. 1, 2016 to Nov. 15, 2021. These indicators consider area demographics such as race and household income, and are outlined in the city's community violence reduction blueprint.

Record-breaking numbers in C-U elicit $3.2 million annual gun violence reduction plan

The City of Champaign is implementing a multi-million-dollar plan to combat local gun violence focusing spending on its street outreach program intended to aid…

Continue ReadingRecord-breaking numbers in C-U elicit $3.2 million annual gun violence reduction plan
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 Urbana police stop giving out fines for underage drinking at bars during pandemic
Underage drinking citations from 2015 through November 2021 in Urbana, IL.

Urbana police stop giving out fines for underage drinking at bars during pandemic

Like the City of Champaign, Urbana issued no underage drinking citations or made any arrests last year through November 2021, according to police data…

Continue ReadingUrbana police stop giving out fines for underage drinking at bars during pandemic
Read more about the article Urbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence
A portion of the proposed automatic license plate readers in Champaign, bordered by light blue lines. Screenshot from Champaign study session document.

Urbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence

Although Champaign voted in favor of implementing automated license plate readers (ALPRs) for $240,500 last month, Urbana rejected its $54,000 idea about a month…

Continue ReadingUrbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence