City Staff Serves as Guest Speaker at UIUC Environmental Leadership Program
On January 16, 2026, Administrative Services Manager Jeff Hamilton (City Manager’s Office) made a presentation to students in the University of Illinois’ Environmental Leadership Program. The presentation featured an overview of the Council-Manager form of government and how policy is initiated and developed at the local level. Approximately 23 students attended in person and virtually. […]
New Episode of Champaign Spotlight: Every Student Everyday – Attendance Matters
How can our community work together to support student success? The latest episode of Champaign Spotlight features a conversation with the Equity and Engagement Department’s Community Relations Manager, Tracy Parsons, about a new school attendance initiative called “Every Student Everyday”. Communications Manager Natalie Kenny Marquez and Parsons discuss how the City of Champaign, Urbana School District […]
Every Student Everyday
The Champaign County Community Coalition recently partnered with Champaign Unit #4 School District and Urbana School District #116 to launch the Every Student Everyday campaign, a countywide initiative aimed at improving student attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism. The campaign emphasizes the critical connection between consistent school attendance, academic success, and long-term student well-being. City leadership […]
Tyler Funk Appointed Champaign’s Next Fire Chief
City Manager Joan Walls announced today that she has appointed Tyler Funk to serve as the City of Champaign’s next Fire Chief effective November 19, 2025. Funk has served as the City’s Interim Fire Chief since July 2025. Prior to that, Funk served the Champaign Fire Department for 26 years, rising to the rank of […]
Champaign Co-Hosts Illinois Together Against Hate Conference
On Tuesday, October 21, more than 100 leaders, advocates, and community members from across Illinois gathered in Champaign for the inaugural Illinois Together Against Hate Conference. The conference provided a vital platform to exchange strategies, forge partnerships, and reaffirm a shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and combating hate in all its forms. Co-sponsored by the […]
New Episode of Champaign Spotlight Features Deputy City Manager Nancy Rabel
The latest episode of Champaign Spotlight features Deputy City Manager Nancy Rabel. Administrative Services Manager Jeff Hamilton spoke with Ms. Rabel, who shared her journey from attorney and City Administrator in her hometown of Canton, Illinois, to her current leadership role in the City Manager’s Office. She discusses her responsibilities helping several City departments, as […]
City of Champaign Welcomes Public Input as Part of City Council Goal Setting Process
The Champaign City Council will meet October 7 and 8, 2025, to discuss their goals for the 2025-2027 Council term. Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts and ideas for the City Council to consider during their goal-setting meetings. Public input is an important part of the goal-setting process, and residents are […]
City Celebrates a Successful Summer with YES Interns
On August 8, 2025, City Manager Joan Walls, along with staff from the City Manager’s Office, Equity and Engagement, Police, Neighborhood Services, and Human Resources Departments, attended the Youth Employment Services (YES) end-of-year celebration at West Side Park. This event marked the conclusion of the City’s internship program for nine YES interns. Staff celebrated the […]
Annual CU Days Event Brings Opportunity to Connect
On Saturday, August 9, City elected officials and staff participated in CU Days, a lively community event hosted by the Champaign Park District at Douglass Park. Departments represented included the City’s Equity and Engagement and Planning and Development Departments, along with the Champaign Police and Fire Departments. City representatives distributed school supplies to children, engaged with neighbors […]
Champaign Police and Fire Departments Join Area First Responders to Host Camp Fury
From Monday, July 21 through Thursday, July 24, women from police and fire agencies throughout Champaign County hosted the third annual Camp Fury, a program coordinated by Girl Scouts of Central Illinois. Camp Fury is a high-adventure, hands-on experience that immerses young women in the world of fire and police services. It is designed to […]