City of Champaign Invites Residents to the Welcoming Week Family Festival on September 21 in Downtown Champaign
The City of Champaign invites residents and neighbors of all ages to come together for the Welcoming Week Family Festival – a family-friendly event celebrating immigrants in our community. The Festival will take place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 12:00–3:00 PM at the Downtown Champaign Plaza (corner of Neil and Main Streets). The Festival […]
The Community Safety and Justice Division Hosts the Blueprint Partner Quarterly Meeting
The Community Safety & Justice Division recently convened with Blueprint Partners and members of the evaluation team for the Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint quarterly strategic meeting, reaffirming their shared commitment to fostering a safer, more connected Champaign. The agenda was thoughtfully designed to balance meaningful policy dialogue with interactive team-building activities, encouraging both reflection […]
Equity & Engagement Staff Gives Presentation to Police Training Institute Cadets
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager in the Equity and Engagement Department, delivered an impactful presentation to more than 110 cadets from across Illinois at the Police Training Institute. City staff discussed the vital role that community relations and public engagement play in effective law enforcement. Topics included strategies for building […]
E&E Staff Attend Bloomington’s Inclusion & Access Compliance Symposium
Equity & Engagement Community Relations Manager & Compliance Officer Janel Gomez and Community Relations Specialist Julio Velasco represented our department at the City of Bloomington’s Inclusion & Access Compliance Symposium. The event focused on the theme “Navigating Inclusion & Access Compliance” and brought together professionals from across Illinois to explore how workplaces can become more […]
Shine the Block: Oakwood Strong
On August 16, 2025, the community showed up strong for the folks at Oakwood Trace. First Followers lead the way in landscape and building clean up as well as the resource fair that followed with lots of treats to beat the heat advisory. Council Members Shauna Clayborn and Davion Williams, as well as Central High […]
City Staff Participate in Back to School Clap-Ins
On August 12 and 13, 2025, City Council members Will Kyles and Davion Williams, along with staff from the City’s Police and Equity and Engagement Departments, participated in clap-in events at Booker T. Washington Elementary and Centennial High School, welcoming students back and celebrating the start of a new school year. The events served as […]
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 […]
City Staff Supports Y on the Fly Back to School Event
On Friday, August 8, the Equity & Engagement Department – Community Safety and Justice Division joined the Champaign Fire Department and Y on the Fly for a Back-to-School Giveaway & End-of-Summer Bash. The HOYCE Center also supported local families by providing free hygiene products, home essentials, clothing, and other daily necessities including backpacks and sunscreen. […]
Welcoming Plan: Cities of Practices
Equity and Engagement Community Relations Manager Janel Gomez facilitated the recent bi-monthly meeting of the Champaign County Welcoming Plan (CCWP). The meeting was also attended by Thomas Yu, City Attorney, and Lieutenant Brian Maloney, representing local law enforcement. Welcoming Plan partners convene regularly to advance the goals of the CCWP and to foster meaningful dialogue […]