On January 20, 2024 staff from the Equity and Engagement Department, in collaboration with the New American Welcome Center, hosted a ‘Thank You!” luncheon at the Illinois Terminal. This luncheon provided leaders, collaborators, and supporters of the Champaign County Welcoming Plan to come together and celebrate the milestones that have been reached thus far. With achievements like having the first Q’anjob’al language cohort graduate to becoming the first Certified Welcoming City in Illinois, there is a lot to celebrate! Thank you to City staff from the Fire and Police Departments who braved the icy weather to join us. And of course, a big thank you to Mayor Feinen and Senator Paul Faraci for spending time with us that afternoon. As we move forward into Phase 2 of the implementation of the Welcoming Plan it is important to acknowledge all those who made it possible.