• The City of Champaign offers an Adopt-A-Highway program for established organizations with an acting President and Group Coordinator.
• Groups must provide volunteers with signed waivers, schedule cleanups at least four times per year, and remove and dispose of all collected litter.
• The City provides training resources, safety signs, safety vests, and placing Adopt-A-Highway signs at the adopted section of roadway.
• Volunteers must participate in safety training and wear City-supplied safety vests while engaged in cleanup activities.
• Roadways must be at least one mile in length and considered primary roadways within the City.  Approval of the selected roadways by the Administrative Services Division is required.
• Contracts are for a maximum of three years and can be renewed after the initial two-year commitment.  However, the City reserves the right to cancel an agreement if the contract terms are not being fulfilled.
• Cleanups should be scheduled in writing two weeks and accompanied by a list of participants with waivers on file.  To schedule a cleanup, send an email to [email protected], and add “Adopt-A-Highway” and your group name on the subject line.
• Materials collected must be disposed of properly.

For additional information contact:

Adopt-a-Highway Coordinator
Public Works Department | 217-403-4700 | [email protected]

The State of Illinois also has an Adopt-A-Highway program.

Right-of-way shall mean property owned by the City for use by the public as a means of passage; and shall include the street, alley, sidewalk, and parkway.  It is intended for traffic movement, utilities, and similar public uses such as roads, clear zones for traffic safety, sidewalks, and pathways for pedestrian safety, utility services above, at, and below ground, and for snow storage. A right-of-way generally extends 25 to 33 feet from the centerline of the road onto the lawn area.

During the winter season, the right-of-way behind the roadway is reserved for snow storage to expedite snow removal. This area may extend seven feet or more beyond the road edge. Information about landscaping and maintenance in these areas can be found in Chapter 35-18 of the City’s Municipal Code.

Rights-of-way vary in width, with most being 50 to 66 feet wide.

The Operations Division is responsible for mowing vacant City-owned lots. The Champaign Park District maintains certain lots designated for future Boneyard Creek projects under contract. The City also mows certain ditch lines and overpasses in the rural areas that are deemed “unmowable” (deep ditch lines, etc.).  All other parkway maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner.

Effective January 1, 2025 the Illinois Department of Agriculture established Illinois Public Act 103-0976. This act regulates the use of pesticides in municipalities. This Act provides that municipalities and government entities provide at least 24 hours of notice to the public before applying a pesticide on a public right of way within the corporate boundaries of a municipality.

The notice must include location and date of intended applications, name and type of pesticide to be used, reason for use, concentrations, any special instructions, name and telephone number of the applicator, and the contact information for the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The notice must be in writing and posted at least 24 hours before the intended application. Written notice is sufficient if posted in newsletters, websites, calendars or other correspondence currently published by the government entity.

There is no prescribed notification template at this time, therefore the City of Champaign will meet the requirement by issuing a monthly information notice for general pesticide use covering City-wide application by its employees and contractors. These notices will be posted on the City’s website and shared via social media accounts. Additional notices may be issued for more specific areas, for example extended use near a detention basin.

A sample of this notification can be viewed by clicking this link.

The following is a list of permits available through the Public Works Department:

• Right-of-Way Occupancy Permit
• Right-of-Way Excavation Permit
• Drive Approach Permit
• Sanitary Sewer Permit
• Storm Sewer Permit
• Sidewalk Permit
• Grading and Drainage Permit

According to the Champaign Municipal Code, which is detailed in Chapter 30 focusing on Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Ways, permits are required. Specifically, Section 30-400 prohibits anyone from building anything or doing any work on a structure within, over, under, across, or near any public area without a permit from the City. The individual doing the work must provide proof of insurance that includes the City of Champaign as an additional insured. A $10,000 bond is mandatory for digging in public areas. The City Engineer’s office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, excluding City Holidays, at the Public Works Department, 702 Edgebrook Drive.  You may call 217-403-4700 with any questions.

Right-of-Way Occupancy Permit

The City Engineer is empowered to issue a right-of-way occupancy permit for any use of City streets or other public property of periods of no longer than 180 days for construction purposes.  Fees for issuance of a temporary permit pursuant to this section shall be as follows:

Fees for total closure of the street shall be double the lane fees.  Occupancy of a traffic lane requires payment for the adjacent on-street parking, if metered.

Right-of-Way Excavation Permit

Section 30-430 of the Champaign Municipal Code states “no excavations or trenches in any public right-of-way in the City for any purpose including but not limited to sewer, drain, water, gas, steam, electrical, telephone, cable, video, internet, or other communication services and lines shall be made without first obtaining a permit from the Director of Public Works as provided in this Article”. The permit fee is $25.

Drive Approach Permit

A driveway approach permit shall mean that part of a driveway or of any asphalt or concrete surface or pavement located in public right-of-way. A permit is required for any work covering the construction, maintenance, or repair of a driveway approach. The permit fee is $70.

Sanitary Sewer Permit

No person shall install, connect, or replace any private or public sewer without first obtaining any necessary approval and permits from the City Engineer, the Urbana Champaign Sanitary District, and the Environmental Protection Agency of the State. The City fee for the permit is $70.

Storm Sewer Permit

A permit is required to make a new connection or modification to an existing connection to the stormwater drainage system or to make any connection, which causes stormwater runoff to empty into the stormwater drainage system. The permit fee is $70.

Sidewalk Permit

A permit is required to construct, maintain, or repair a sidewalk in the right-of-way. The permit fee is $70 per 100 lineal feet or part thereof.

Grading and Drainage Permit

A permit is required for all construction/improvements with 500-sq. ft. or more of new impervious area. A grading and drainage permit plan will need to be submitted with the permit application. Information required on the grading and drainage permit plan includes (most of this information can be found on the subdivision plans or interpolated from them):

• Lot corner elevations.
• Building pad elevations.
• Lowest finished floor elevation.
• Surface water flow patterns.
• Statement that the project is (is not) within 100 feet of a 100-year floodplain.
• If the project is within 100 feet of a 100-year floodplain, the boundaries (if on the site) and elevation of the floodplain must be indicated, and the lowest floor of any habitable building must be at least one foot above the 100-year flood elevation.

All new construction and renovations that are not in a floodplain require a grading and drainage permit before work starts, except a permit is not required for:

• Excavation or fill less than 50 CY, with less than a 4-foot cut, disturbing less than 5,000 SF of plant cover.
• Any interior remodeling.
• Additions, remodeling, or accessory structures smaller than 500 SF which disturb less than 2,000 SF on the site.
• Demolition.
• Accessory items with minimal impact on drainage like: Sidewalks, playground equipment, decks, small patios, athletic fields, etc.

Development within a floodplain is much more tightly restricted. If you are working within a floodplain, call Public Works at 217-403-4700 for details.  If you don’t know whether or not you are within a floodplain, call Public Works or search for your address at www.floodsmart.gov.  Information may also be found on floodplains.

Permit fee schedule, effective April 1, 1998

• One- and Two-family new construction and additions, $50
• Commercial new construction and additions, with total impervious area under 15,000 SF, $200
• Commercial, with total impervious area between 15,000 SF and 75,000 SF, $400
• Commercial new construction and additions, with total impervious area over 75,000 SF, $600
• Construction in flood fringe, take above rates x 1.5
• Construction in floodway, take above rates x 2.0

View information on erosion control.

The Public Works Department responds to approximately 500 pothole patching service requests per year.  Requests to fix a pothole on a City of Champaign street can be placed via e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 217-403-4700; or by using the See-Click-Fix mobile app.

What causes a pothole?

Over time, roads start to crack, allowing water, ice, and debris to seep into their structure.  This can cause the road’s base to wear down, leading to more cracks, chips, and bigger potholes.  When it freezes and thaws, along with wet conditions, these cracks get wider and weaker under the pressure of vehicles.  Sometimes, potholes can pop up overnight where there weren’t any before.  Bus stops and busy intersections are especially vulnerable because the weight of the traffic can make the road crack.

How quickly do you fix potholes, and why might that not always happen?

Usually, we aim to respond within 24-48 business hours.  But during tough winter months when there are tons of potholes, there are a few reasons we might not hit that target.  Some potholes on the side of the road can be fixed by the City, but others need more permanent solutions.  Plus, some potholes might be on state roads, where IDOT has their own procedures.  We do prioritize emergency repairs if public safety is at risk.

Why are there so many potholes during the winter and spring?

Winter and spring, with their rainy weather and changing temps, put a lot of stress on roads, leading to more cracks and potholes.  Quick fixes often don’t hold up, especially when snowplows scrape away patch materials or traffic moves them, letting water and cold get back in.  Water in these holes can wear down the surrounding road, making the pothole bigger.  Potholes tend to show up more in winters with heavy snow or in springs with lots of rain.  They can also appear after sunny days following a storm because of melting snow.

How can I report a pothole?

Various methods are available to report a pothole.  These include emailing or calling Public Works and submitting a service request, or using the See-Click-Fix mobile app available for free download.

May I request a cone or barricade for potholes on my street? 

If you want cones or barricades for potholes on your street, you can ask for them, but Public Works will decide if putting them up might cause more traffic issues and may take other steps to fix the problem.

When will your pothole patching crews get to my neighborhood to fix potholes (after harsh winter seasons or spring storms)?

Our pothole patching teams have a set way of tackling potholes.  Instead of moving heavy gear to fix one pothole on one side of town and then racing to another on the opposite side, we focus on one area to use our resources more efficiently.  However, we do send smaller teams for emergency repairs when we can.

What kind of equipment does the City use to fix potholes?

Public Works has various pieces of equipment to fix potholes, but most pothole patching requires the physical labor of our crews shoveling asphalt from the back of truck beds or front-end loader buckets (scoops).   We also have special equipment just for pothole patching, such as a Pothole Sprayer-Injector truck that patches potholes more efficiently, and a hot asphalt truck that makes it easier for our crews to handle hot asphalt.

Public Works also rents equipment from time-to-time when an inordinate amount of potholes form during harsh winter or spring seasons.

What can I do to help?

The best thing a citizen can do is report a pothole and slow down when they see crews patching potholes on City streets.

The City encourages citizens to report potholes to Public Works at 217-403-4700, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except City Holidays. Please provide City staff with your name, address, telephone number, location of pothole, and as much detailed information as possible. This information is very helpful to staff trying to respond to your request. After business hours, on weekends, or holidays, you will receive a pre-recorded message with general instructions and emergency information. Please leave detailed information to ensure prompt response. You can also email the department at [email protected] or try the City’s free mobile reporting app SeeClickFix (available through the iTunes store or Google Play for Android).

The Public Works Operations Division manages the City’s sidewalks.  Please contact the Public Works Operations Division at 217-403-4700 if tripping hazards are identified.

If you notice a streetlight that is out, dim, or blinking, please call 217-403-4700 during normal working hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except City holidays.  You can also report a streetlight malfunction by emailing us: [email protected].  Please provide your name and phone number, address where the light is positioned on the street, and the side the streetlight is on.  

Once a report has been made, the City will determine who owns the light. If it is a City-owned light, efforts are made to repair the light within two business days. If it is an Ameren Illinois light, the City will notify Ameren as they are responsible for repairing their light.

To report any sign that has been knocked down or is missing, contact Public Works at 217-403-4700 during normal business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  You may also send an email to [email protected].

To report a knocked down or missing stop sign after hours, please call 217-351-4545, and select option “0”.

Detailed information regarding the City’s Honorary Street Name Designations may be found here.

Concerns, requests, and suggestions regarding traffic safety are considered Traffic Service Requests. Generally, these requests ask for something new or for a change to an existing condition. Some examples of common Traffic Service Requests include:

• Installation of stop signs
• Changes to parking restrictions
• Issues related to crosswalks
• School area concerns
• Concerns regarding speed of traffic in residential neighborhoods

Requests can be submitted by contacting the Public Works Department at 217-403-4700 or [email protected].

To report a traffic signal outage or malfunction during normal working hours of 7:30 a.m.  to 4:30 p.m., please contact Public Works at 217-403-4700.   You can also report routine signal outages or malfunctions to our email at [email protected].

For after-hours emergency traffic signal problems, please call 217-351-4545, and select option “0”.

How a HAWK signal works

HAWK Signal Demonstration Video

Where is it?

BRADLEY AVENUE at DSC

Why is it needed?

Click to enlarge instructions

Bus stops located on both sides of Bradley Avenue at Developmental Services Center are highly utilized by patrons of DSC and area residents. This section of Bradley Avenue is perpetually on the list of streets with speeding problems with the majority of drivers regularly driving 10 or more miles per hour over the posted 35 mph speed limit.

Over the years, the City of Champaign and DSC have worked together to use all available tools for an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing to make it as safe as possible. The HAWK takes the next step for enhancing pedestrian safety by requiring vehicular traffic to stop.