About Us

The Equity and Engagement Department serves as a critical link between the City and our community. The Equity and Engagement Department works to ensure everyone who lives, works, or plays in Champaign is treated in a fair, equal, and inclusive manner, as demonstrated in the City’s mission and values and the City Council’s goal to promote quality of life for all citizens. The City is committed to meeting this objective through ongoing public education and enforcement of the City’s Human Rights Ordinance and Equal Opportunity in Purchasing Ordinance.

The Equity and Engagement Department has three divisions working to assist City of Champaign residents.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division works to help those who feel they have been discriminated against by investigating complaints and working with both parties to resolve issues. The Equity and Engagement Department is assisted in this role by the City’s Human Relations Commission. The Human Relations Commission has a Citizen Review Subcommittee to review the investigations completed by the police into citizen complaints and provide findings and recommendations to the Chief of Police. This Division also provides support for LGBTQ and Immigrant community members.

The Community Outreach and Engagement Division of the Equity and Engagement Department leads City efforts in community support and neighborhood mobilization. The City is the leading partner of the Champaign County Community Coalition, a network with representation from local businesses, behavioral health organizations, government, education, faith based organizations, law enforcement, grassroots organizations, not-for-profit organizations, park districts, residents, and youth and their families working to address issues of community concern.

The Community Safety and Justice Division is responsible for leading and coordinating implementation of the Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint, including all City gun violence prevention and intervention activities. This Division serves as liaison to Champaign Police, community-based organizations, advisory boards and committees geared to reducing community violence.

Contact us:

Equity and Engagement Department
102 N. Neil St.
Champaign, IL 61820

Phone: 217-403-8830
Fax: 217-403-8835
Email: [email protected]