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 […]
City Staff Join Community for Love & Peace Barbecue
Staff from multiple City departments were on-hand on Sunday, July 27, to join in the fun at a Love & Peace BBQ event in Douglass Park. The event was intended to build community and lift up young residents, including a meal, dance contest, structured activities, and school supply giveaways. City Manager Walls, Mayor Feinen, and […]
New Mayor Feinen Podcast Discusses Brightly Citizen Portal
In the latest episode of The Mayor Feinen Podcast, Mayor Feinen sits down with Jeremy Schultz (Public Works) to learn about Champaign’s newest tool – Brightly Citizen Portal. This new system replaces the former SeeClickFix platform and gives residents an easier, faster way to report infrastructure concerns, like potholes, downed trees, traffic signal issues, and more. Learn […]
ILCMA Recognizes Champaign’s City Managers
Two prestigious awards were presented to Champaign’s current and former City Managers staff during the Summer ILCMA Conference on June 4. City Manager Joan Walls was honored with ILCMA’s Special Service Award. This award is presented to those in the profession who have notable association or affiliate activity and significant professional accomplishments, including charitable acts, […]