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, […]
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 […]