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 […]
Annual Juneteenth Celebration
On June 15, 2024 the Champaign Park District hosted their Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Douglass Park. Juneteenth commemorates the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half […]
The Beat Kicked Off In a Big Way!
May 31 was the official kick off for The Beat Downtown Champaign! The Beat is a new campaign to bring more music, entertainment, and culture to Downtown. The Beat aims to attract residents and visitors from diverse backgrounds, provide a safe and inclusive space to enjoy entertainment, to showcase Downtown’s unique shops and businesses, and […]
The Beat
The City is thrilled to announce the launch of the downtown entertainment district’s official logo “The Beat.” Unveiled at a Council study session on May 7, 2024, the Beat encompasses all of the downtown entertainment district. Boasting a wide variety of entertainers and programs for the community to enjoy, The Beat will allow community members […]
North First Street | Designated Cultural District
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that the City of Champaign’s North First Street has been selected as one of the ten inaugural State Designated Cultural Districts. Launched in 2023, the State-Designated Cultural Districts program aims to uplift the unique contributions of historic cultural districts with the overarching goal of increasing […]
City of Champaign Location Selected as Inaugural State-Designated Cultural District
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that the City of Champaign’s North First Street has been selected as one of the ten inaugural State Designated Cultural Districts. The North First Street Cultural District, which is home to sections of the African American Cultural Trail and newly redesigned Skelton Park, contains landmarks […]