staff shortage
Read more about the article Police departments in Champaign County combat staff shortages; Some rebounding from resignations fueled by social issues, pandemicDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Police departments in Champaign County combat staff shortages; Some rebounding from resignations fueled by social issues, pandemic

The cities of Champaign, Urbana and Mahomet have been dealing with staffing shortages in their police departments since the pandemic, but some departments' vacancies…

Continue ReadingPolice departments in Champaign County combat staff shortages; Some rebounding from resignations fueled by social issues, pandemic
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 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 Public health officials say Champaign County is at a “critical juncture” in the pandemicGoogle Street View
The exterior of Carle Foundation Hospital's emergency department in Urbana during October 2019.

Public health officials say Champaign County is at a “critical juncture” in the pandemic

On Monday, Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department Administrator Julie Pryde, joined by officials from Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, warned that hospitals are approaching capacity. The officials said that Region 6 — which covers 21 counties in east-central Illinois including Champaign County — has only 29% of its Intensive Care Unit capacity and 29% of its hospital bed capacity remaining as virus cases surged.

Continue ReadingPublic health officials say Champaign County is at a “critical juncture” in the pandemic