Category: Legal Department News

Law Clerks Win Second Place in Writing Competition

Law Clerks Morgan Knight and Bobby Mannis, participated in the Franklin W. Klein Law Student Writing Competition. Their article, titled “Existential Blue: Police and Municipal Duty, Liability, and Recommendations for Suicide Prevention” took second place in the Law Student category. This competition is hosted each year by the Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association and centers […]


Legal Department Gives Presentation at University of Illinois College of Law

City of Champaign Law Clerks, Chloe Porath, Morgan Knight, and Bobby Mannis, and Deputy City Attorney, Jennifer Bannon, gave a presentation about municipal law at the University of Illinois College of Law on January 29, 2024. The presentation was intended to educate students about careers in local government law and to encourage students to apply […]


City Celebrates Staff for Service and Values

The annual Employee Awards and Service Recognition Ceremony was held on November 15, 2023. This event celebrates the accomplishments and service of City of Champaign staff honored with either an employee award or for achieving a career milestone. This year’s celebration honored 83 employees who received an individual or team award. These staff members were […]


‘Thank You’ Celebration!

Through the University of Illinois and Champaign Community Unit 4 School District, the City welcomed 19 interns and Youth Employment Services (YES) students to join our staff this summer. These students were able to see the ins-and-outs of how the City works while getting hands on experience in eight different departments. On July 20, the City hosted […]


New Episode of Champaign Spotlight Features City Attorney Thomas Yu

The City is thrilled to present the latest addition to our Champaign Spotlight series with a new episode featuring City Attorney Thomas Yu. Join us as he shares insights about his experience in the legal profession and the extraordinary team he leads. Hear some behind-the-scenes stories that shaped our City’s history. Gain valuable perspective on […]


Communities of Practice

On May 15, 2023 the Communities of Practice team met to continue work on implementing the Welcoming Plan. This team is made up of leadership across the county from City departments, not-for-profits, and other public service entities. The Welcoming Plan is a set of strategic initiatives to welcome immigrants and better integrate foreign-born residents into […]


City Staff Recognized at Forty Under 40 Luncheon

On October 27, 2022, Central Illinois Business’ 15th annual Forty Under 40 event was held at the Champaign Holiday Inn. The City of Champaign is proud to share that this year’s class of 40 honorees included City employees Kathryn Cataldo (Legal), Jacqueline Kalipeni (Neighborhood Services), Brittany Millington (Library), Timothy Rivest (Police), and Mary Catherine Roberson […]


City Manager Announces Appointment of New City Attorney

City Manager Dorothy Ann David announced today that she has appointed Thomas Yu to serve as Champaign’s next City Attorney, starting September 12, 2022. Yu currently serves as one of the City’s Assistant City Attorneys and has more than 21 years of experience practicing law. Yu has served the City of Champaign since 2017, and […]


Champaign City Attorney Announces Upcoming Retirement

Frederick C. Stavins, the City Attorney for the City of Champaign since 1981, has announced plans to retire from that position effective May 20, 2022. Serving for more than forty years, Stavins is the longest serving City Attorney and department head in the City’s history. Stavins says that he has treasured serving the City, saying, […]