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Read more about the article Historic Urbana-Lincoln Hotel to welcome guests next year after numerous failed attempts to reopenDarrell Hoemann
Urbana Landmark Hotel, to be renamed Hotel Royer, undergoing remodeling on Friday, December 24, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Historic Urbana-Lincoln Hotel to welcome guests next year after numerous failed attempts to reopen

It has been an arduous journey since the early 2000s for the Urbana-Lincoln Hotel. There have been at least 7 different owners, 5 name changes, and millions of dollars in renovations and selling costs.  Both city officials and the new owner, Icon Hospitality, LLC, are now confident the hotel will not only successfully open in late 2022 but will bring in significant revenue.

Continue ReadingHistoric Urbana-Lincoln Hotel to welcome guests next year after numerous failed attempts to reopen
Read more about the article Carle Foundation Hospital expansion increases capacity, brings business to the areaDarrell Hoemann
Carle Admin Center at Carle at the Fields on Sunday, December 19, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Carle Foundation Hospital expansion increases capacity, brings business to the area

Construction in Champaign for Carle Foundation Hospital buildings is joined by the addition of other businesses and restaurants nearby, contributing to the economic growth of the new area known as The Fields.

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Read more about the article Complaints rise about reduced bus services, but MTD can’t “speed up” training driversWikipedia
The Illinois Terminal in Champaign, Illinois. The terminal provides Amtrak service, as well as public bus service (MTD) for Champaign-Urbana.

Complaints rise about reduced bus services, but MTD can’t “speed up” training drivers

In August this year, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) announced that many bus routes’ services would be reduced due to a shortage of bus drivers.  Officials said somewhere in the range of 80 to 90 drivers quit and about the same number were hired. Amy Snyder, chief of staff at MTD, said that it’s impossible to speed up the training. 

Continue ReadingComplaints rise about reduced bus services, but MTD can’t “speed up” training drivers
Read more about the article Pay gap between Champaign and Urbana employees actually widening, new data revealsGoogle Maps Street View
Urbana City Building from Google Maps.

Pay gap between Champaign and Urbana employees actually widening, new data reveals

Recently released data on employee salaries of the City of Champaign and City of Urbana show that Urbana pays substantially less than Champaign and that the pay gap between the two cities has actually increased over the past two fiscal years, according a CU-CitizenAccess review.  When the data for employees receiving under $75,000 a year is included, the number of employees increases to 315, more than double the 145 employees included in the compensation report the City of Urbana publishes. 

Continue ReadingPay gap between Champaign and Urbana employees actually widening, new data reveals
Read more about the article Hiring shortages an obstacle for policing amidst increasing gun violenceDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Hiring shortages an obstacle for policing amidst increasing gun violence

Several months after addressing increasing gun violence in a community update, a new report on hiring reveals the Champaign police force is understaffed. Urbana and University of Illinois police are experiencing some shortages, but have significantly less unfilled positions.

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Read more about the article Champaign Park District sells off annual flowers due to COVID-19Champaign Park District Facebook Page
A photo of flowers posted to Champaign Park District's event for the flower sale this year.

Champaign Park District sells off annual flowers due to COVID-19

The Champaign Park District is well known for their spring and summer planting of beds of flowers across various parks in the Champaign County area. But this year, the district was unable to plant flowers due to staff shortages caused by the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the flowers to be sold at flower sales instead.

Continue ReadingChampaign Park District sells off annual flowers due to COVID-19
Read more about the article Six years and Tuscola residents still waiting on Cronus fertilizer plantDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
The proposed Cronus site on the north side of the highway on March 21, 2016.

Six years and Tuscola residents still waiting on Cronus fertilizer plant

In 2014, in the midst of a gubernatorial election, the construction of a $1.4 billion fertilizer plant in Tuscola was announced with much fanfare and the promise of state subsidies. Eight years later, no piece of dirt has been overturned since former Gov. Quinn poked a shovel into an open field in a symbolic groundbreaking. Now Tuscola officials say the outbreak of coronavirus will add to the long delays.

Continue ReadingSix years and Tuscola residents still waiting on Cronus fertilizer plant
Read more about the article Construction of Cronus fertilizer plant delayed as costs soarDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess
The site of a new nitrogen fertilizer plant in Tuscola, Ill. The plant is slated to be built on 240-acres of farmland and bring 2,000 construction jobs and 175 permanent jobs to the area.

Construction of Cronus fertilizer plant delayed as costs soar

A new fertilizer plant slated for Tuscola is further delayed and projected to be more costly than originally touted. This spring Cronus Chemicals quietly announced on its website that the estimated cost is now $1.9 billion – more than 30 percent above the original estimate. The website also says the plant will not be finished until the last quarter of 2019 – or at least 30 months later than the initial completion date.

Continue ReadingConstruction of Cronus fertilizer plant delayed as costs soar
Read more about the article Small business development lagging in Champaign CountyDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
Seven Saints in downtown Champaign on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Small business development lagging in Champaign County

Sarah Soenke/For CU-CitizenAccess.org— Champaign County small business development is still struggling under setbacks from the Great Recession and have not returned to pre-recession conditions,…

Continue ReadingSmall business development lagging in Champaign County