Meet the Staff
City Attorney
Thomas Yu
Tom Yu serves as the City Attorney for the City of Champaign. As City Attorney, he is responsible for supervising the Legal Department staff and providing legal advice to the City Council, City Boards and Commissions, the City Manager, and all department heads within the City organization. Along with providing legal counsel to departments within the City organization, his duties include advising on ethical issues, monitoring compliance with State statutes, including the Municipal Code and
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Tom Yu serves as the City Attorney for the City of Champaign. As City Attorney, he is responsible for supervising the Legal Department staff and providing legal advice to the City Council, City Boards and Commissions, the City Manager, and all department heads within the City organization.
Along with providing legal counsel to departments within the City organization, his duties include advising on ethical issues, monitoring compliance with State statutes, including the Municipal Code and the Election Code, coordinating communication and lobbying efforts with the State legislature, as well as managing the prosecution and defense of cases involving the City, its officials, and employees.
Mr. Yu joined the City of Champaign in 2017. Prior to his appointment to City Attorney on September 12, 2022, he served as Assistant City Attorney in the Legal Department. Before joining the City, Tom was a Senior Associate at Thomas Mamer, LLP in Champaign, Senior Associate at Jeep & Blazer, LLC in Hillside, and Assistant State’s Attorney for the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Yu is a graduate of the University of Illinois and received his Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2000.
Assistant City Attorney
Jennifer Gover Bannon
Jennifer Gover Bannon joined the City of Champaign Legal Department as an Assistant City Attorney in 2014. She provides legal counsel regarding personnel matters involving union and non-bargaining unit employees. She serves as the principal advisor to the Champaign Fire Department, Equity and Engagement Department, Human Resources Department, and the
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Jennifer Gover Bannon joined the City of Champaign Legal Department as an Assistant City Attorney in 2014. She provides legal counsel regarding personnel matters involving union and non-bargaining unit employees. She serves as the principal advisor to the Champaign Fire Department, Equity and Engagement Department, Human Resources Department, and the City of Champaign Township.
Ms. Bannon is a graduate of the University of Illinois and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2011.
Assistant City Attorney
Kathryn Cataldo
Kathryn Cataldo joined the City of Champaign Legal Department as an Assistant City Attorney in 2016. Her primary responsibilities include drafting and reviewing economic development agreements and incentives, advising on Tax Increment Financing agreements, drafting and finalizing contracts for engineering, design, and construction, as well as litigating small claims collection
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Kathryn Cataldo joined the City of Champaign Legal Department as an Assistant City Attorney in 2016. Her primary responsibilities include drafting and reviewing economic development agreements and incentives, advising on Tax Increment Financing agreements, drafting and finalizing contracts for engineering, design, and construction, as well as litigating small claims collection cases for the City’s Parking Division. She serves as the principal advisor to the City’s Finance Department, Information Technologies Department, Public Works Department, and the Champaign Public Library.
Ms. Cataldo is a graduate of Fordham University and received her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2015.
Assistant City Attorney
Nancy L. Rabel
Nancy Rabel joined the City of Champaign Legal Department as an Assistant City Attorney in 2021. Her primary responsibilities include prosecuting property maintenance and code violations, drafting and reviewing policies and agreements related to emergency dispatch, law enforcement, and public safety. She serves as the principal advisor to the Champaign
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Nancy Rabel joined the City of Champaign Legal Department as an Assistant City Attorney in 2021. Her primary responsibilities include prosecuting property maintenance and code violations, drafting and reviewing policies and agreements related to emergency dispatch, law enforcement, and public safety. She serves as the principal advisor to the Champaign Police Department, Neighborhood Services Department, Fire Department – Building Safety Division, and METCAD.
Ms. Rabel is a graduate of Knox College and received her Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in 1997.
Assistant City Attorney
Alia M. Horwick
Alia Horwick joined the City of Champaign Legal Department in January 2023. Her primary responsibilities include advising on annexation, subdivision, development and zoning issues, enforcing the liquor code, prosecuting City ordinance violations, and responding to Freedom of Information Act requests. She serves as the principal advisor to the Planning &
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Alia Horwick joined the City of Champaign Legal Department in January 2023. Her primary responsibilities include advising on annexation, subdivision, development and zoning issues, enforcing the liquor code, prosecuting City ordinance violations, and responding to Freedom of Information Act requests. She serves as the principal advisor to the Planning & Development Department, which includes providing legal counsel to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Plan Commission, and Historic Preservation Commission.
Ms. Horwick is a graduate of Northwestern University and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 2009.