2025 Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference Wrap-Up
The Neighborhood Services Department hosted the 2025 Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference on May 9, 2025. Mayor Fienen 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 […]
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.
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 […]
LIFT Black History Month
On Monday, February 19, 2025, City Manager Joan Walls, accompanied by Community Relations Manager, Tracy Parsons and Community Relations Specialist, Mikal Washington from the Equity and Engagement Department, attended the LIFT Black History Month event at Neil St. Blues Champaign County Clerk, Aaron Ammons, delivered an informative presentation on the complex process of expungement. This […]
City of Champaign Launching New Building Permit Software
The City of Champaign has completed a yearlong audit of their building permit and development approval process. The City worked with an independent 3ʳᵈ party consultant, Matrix Consultants, to perform a true independent analysis of the City’s permitting processes. This review resulted in identification of the processes that were considered “Best Practices” and the pieces […]
City Staff Reelected Director and Assistant Director of American Planning Association Chapter
Lacey Rains-Lowe and Jeff Marino, AICP, were recently elected to continue serving as Director and Assistant Director of the Downstate Section of the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). The Downstate Section coordinates APA activities for the entire State, excluding the Chicago Metro Counties. This includes continuing education opportunities for professional planners, networking […]
Government 101: Resource Expo
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024 City staff from 6 different departments came together to execute the first ever Government 101 Resource Expo at the Champaign Public Library! This event was a collaboration between the City of Champaign and City of Urbana to be a low pressure way for community members to learn about City resources, […]
City of Champaign to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for Downtown Plaza
Transformative Project Ushers in New Era of Reinvestment in Downtown Champaign The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking celebration to kick off construction of the first phase of the new Downtown Plaza. The ceremony will be held at 1 E. Main Street on July 12, 2024, at 4:30 pm. The celebration will include remarks […]
EDDIT Site Visit and Symposium
On June 5 and 6, 2024, staff from Equity and Engagement, Public Works, and Neighborhood Services Departments participated in the Equitable Development Data Insight Training (EDDIT) site visit. EDDIT, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, offers specialized data analysis and storytelling training for nonprofit, community, and government organizations dedicated to promoting urban equity in […]