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, […]
ILCMA Summer Conference Visits Champaign
Champaign hosted the 2025 ILCMA (Illinois City/County Management Association) Summer Conference from June 3-5. Nearly 300 representatives from communities across the state attended the conference, which featured presentations and discussions regarding leadership strategies, innovation, and issues facing communities. Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen attended the awards luncheon on June 4, where she presented the event’s opening […]
Champaign Fire Chief Announces Retirement
On June 4, 2025, Champaign Fire Chief Andy Quarnstrom announced his retirement from the City of Champaign effective July 14, 2025. Quarnstrom has proudly served at the Champaign Fire Department for nearly 28 years. He joined the department in 1997 and steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as Fire Chief since February 2024. “It has […]
New Video: Champaign’s Public Communication Strategies and Tools
Another presentation recorded during the 2025 Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference is now replaying on CGTV and is available to watch on-demand. In this latest video, Jeff Hamilton shares an inside look at how the City of Champaign connects with residents through digital, video, print, and in-person outreach. The video, “Public Communication Strategies and Tools,” highlights […]
2025 Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference Wrap-Up
The Neighborhood Services Department hosted the 2025 Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference on May 9, 2025. Mayor Feinen provided inspiring opening remarks at the breakfast reception. This event was attended by more than 100 community leaders representing neighborhood groups, community organizations and other governmental units. City Departments, including the City Manager’s Office, Equity and Engagement, Planning […]
Mayor Feinen Podcast Spotlights Bloomberg Harvard Fellow
In the latest episode of The Mayor Feinen Podcast, Mayor Feinen speaks with Evan Teplensky, the Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellow currently working with the City of Champaign. In the podcast, Evan shares how his fellowship is being used to support the City’s community engagement and data-driven decision-making, especially through his work on the City’s […]
11th Annual Power of the Purse
On May 1, 2025, City Manager Joan Walls and Equity and Engagement Director Rachel Joy participated in the 11th Annual Power of the Purse held at Pear Tree Estates. This significant yearly fundraiser, organized by the United Way through its Women United group, harnesses the generosity of attendees via engaging silent and live auctions specifically […]
New Episode of The Mayor Feinen Podcast Focuses on IDOT’s Prospect Avenue Project
In her latest podcast, Mayor Feinen talks with Planning and Development Director Bruce Knight and Public Works Director Terry Lusby, Jr. to share more details about IDOT’s proposed changes to Prospect Avenue, including a “road diet”, the addition of bike lanes, and ADA accessibility improvements. Watch the video or listen to the audio podcast.
City of Champaign Announces Appointment of New Deputy City Manager
Today, City Manager Joan Walls announced that she has appointed Christopher Walton to serve as the City of Champaign’s next Deputy City Manager. Mr. Walton has more than ten years of municipal government experience and will assume this new leadership role on June 2, 2025. Mr. Walton currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for […]
New Mayor Feinen Podcast Features the Downtown Plan Update
In the latest episode of The Mayor Feinen Podcast, Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen sat down with Senior Planner Eric VanBuskirk to discuss the ongoing update to Champaign’s Downtown Plan. With the last plan dating back to 2006, this revision aims to address Champaign’s evolving needs.VanBuskirk shares insights into the extensive community engagement efforts, including surveys […]