Meet the Staff
City Attorney
Thomas Yu
Tom Yu was appointed to serve as Champaign’s City Attorney in September 2022. In that role he is responsible for supervising the Legal Department staff and providing legal counsel to the City Council, the City Manager, City boards and commissions, and all department heads within the City organization. In addition, his duties include responding to citizen inquiries, advising on ethical issues, drafting legislation, coordinating lobbying efforts with the Illinois General Assembly, as well as managing
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Tom Yu was appointed to serve as Champaign’s City Attorney in September 2022. In that role he is responsible for supervising the Legal Department staff and providing legal counsel to the City Council, the City Manager, City boards and commissions, and all department heads within the City organization.
In addition, his duties include responding to citizen inquiries, advising on ethical issues, drafting legislation, coordinating lobbying efforts with the Illinois General Assembly, as well as managing litigation involving the City.
Tom joined the City of Champaign in 2017, serving as an Assistant City Attorney. Prior to that he was a senior associate at Thomas Mamer LLP in Champaign, a senior associate at Jeep & Blazer, LLC in Hillside, and an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Tom 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 and serves as the principal advisor to the Fire Department, Equity and Engagement Department, Human Resources Department, and the City
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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 and serves as the principal advisor to the 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 Degree 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 advising the Liquor Commissioner’s Office on liquor-related matters and licensing, small claims collections, and drafting and reviewing economic development agreements and incentives. She also advises the City’s Finance Department and
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Kathryn Cataldo joined the City of Champaign Legal Department as an Assistant City Attorney in 2016. Her primary responsibilities include advising the Liquor Commissioner’s Office on liquor-related matters and licensing, small claims collections, and drafting and reviewing economic development agreements and incentives. She also advises the City’s Finance 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 City ordinance violations, workers compensation litigation, contracts and purchasing for the City, and Freedom of Information Act requests. She serves as the principal advisor to the Neighborhood Services Department
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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 City ordinance violations, workers compensation litigation, contracts and purchasing for the City, and Freedom of Information Act requests. She serves as the principal advisor to the Neighborhood Services Department and Information Technologies Department.
Ms. Rabel is a graduate of Knox College and received her Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School in 1997.