The City of Champaign will honor George Blackburn by dedicating a portion of Maple Street, from Prospect Avenue to Harris Avenue, as George Blackburn Street. The honorary street signs will be unveiled on Monday, June 28, at 1:30 p.m. during a ceremony at the corner of Maple Street and Harris Avenue in Champaign.
Mr. Blackburn started Neighborhood Watch on West Maple Street and was captain for 16 years. He was past commander of American Legion Post 24, and he was instrumental in getting the flags in the obituaries for veterans. He also attended the Citizen Police Academy, was part of the crew for the Champaign Park District that planted flowers and trees. He served on the VFW Post 5520 Color Guard, and was a 32d Degree Mason of the Western Star Lodge 2310, Danville Consistory.
In April 2002, George Blackburn became a member of the City of Champaign Public Works Advisory Board. He was still a member at the time of his passing on May 1, 2010.