Staff & Council Members Attend Hire360 Pre-Apprenticeship Program Graduation Ceremony
On Saturday, February 21, Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, joined by City Councilmembers Kathy Shannon, Bob Pollett, and Vanna Pianfetti, City Manager Joan Walls, Public Works Director Terry Lusby, Jr., and Community Relations Managers Tracy Parsons and Jorge Elvir of the Equity and Engagement Department, attended HIRE360’s Central Illinois Pre-Apprenticeship Program graduation ceremony. City leadership and […]
City Hosts Community Gun Violence Response Meeting
On February 19, the Community Safety and Justice Division hosted a Community Gun Violence Response Meeting at Centennial High School. The meeting brought together community residents, Blueprint Partners, City Manager Joan Walls, Deputy City Manager Christopher Walton, Mayor Debroah Feinen, Council Members Shauna Clayborn, Matthew Gladney, Vanna Pianfetti, Bob Pollett, Kathy Shannon, and other City […]
Elementary Students Encouraged to “Protect Their Dream”
On February 26, Community Relations Manager Tracy Parsons, alongside author Dr. Gilo Kwesi Logan, visited Leal Elementary and Kenwood Elementary Schools to discuss Dr. Logan’s book, Protecting a Dream. Through messages of accountability, perseverance, and personal responsibility, students engaged with the themes of the book and were encouraged to reflect on their own goals, choices, […]
February Community Coalition Meeting Highlights: Safety Updates, Youth Jobs, Outreach Programs, and Upcoming Awareness Event
On February 12, 2026, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the meeting, representatives from local law enforcement agencies provided updates on recent criminal activity and shared information about upcoming community events in which they will be participating. The Youth Employment […]
City Representation at Teen Summit 2.0
Elected officials and employees with the City of Champaign were in attendance on February 3, 2026, for an event marking the launch of Teen Summit 2.0: The Remix. Attendees at the event included Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, Council Members Shauna Clayborn and Davion Williams, Police Chief Timothy T. Tyler, and Community Relations Manager Tracy Parsons (Equity and Engagement). It was also attended […]
City Recognizes Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and honor the history, culture, and achievements of Black Americans. Throughout the month, the City of Champaign is highlighting national and local Black leaders, historical milestones, and community contributions through a dedicated social media campaign that recognizes their lasting impact on our community and beyond. Staff […]
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 […]
A Community Working Together for Student Success
At the City of Champaign, we believe that every day a student is in school matters – not just for academic achievement, but for building confidence, opportunity, and a brighter future for our youth and our community. Student attendance isn’t just an education issue: it’s a community priority. When students show up every day, they’re […]
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 […]
Community Relations Manager Speaks at Police Training Institute
On January 9, Community Relations Manager Tracy Parsons attended the Police Training Institute as a guest speaker. During the session, City staff emphasized the importance of strong police-community relations and meaningful community engagement, highlighting the value of officers building visibility, trust, and familiarity within the communities they serve. City staff also shared insights into the […]