Welcoming Plan: Cities of Practices
Equity and Engagement Community Relations Manager Janel Gomez facilitated the recent bi-monthly meeting of the Champaign County Welcoming Plan (CCWP). The meeting was also attended by Thomas Yu, City Attorney, and Lieutenant Brian Maloney, representing local law enforcement. Welcoming Plan partners convene regularly to advance the goals of the CCWP and to foster meaningful dialogue […]
City Staff, Immigrant Service Providers Meet to Discuss Illinois TRUST Act
On Wednesday, January 15, staff with the Police, Legal, and Equity & Engagement Departments joined the New American Welcome Center to provide details on the Illinois TRUST Act, a 2018 law that governs how Illinois law enforcement engages with federal immigration authorities. Under the TRUST Act, law enforcement officials in Illinois are not allowed to […]
Friday Forum + Conversation
On Friday, September 20, 2024 staff from the City of Champaign were invited to speak at the University YMCA Friday Forum + Conversations. This weekly event is designed to engage the community in thought-provoking discussions about current events. Tom Yu, City Attorney and Janel Gomez, Community Relations Manager, highlighted the City’s involvement in the Champaign […]
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, […]
Welcoming Week Kickoff Event
On Friday, September 13, 2024, the community welcomed the second annual Welcoming Week Kickoff Event! Over 40 vendors and 600 people participated in the Welcoming Week Kick-Off Celebration where Mayor Feinen and Mayor Marlin read a proclamation designating Welcoming Week 2024. The theme for this year’s Welcoming Week is We’re All In! and the City […]
Communities of Practice Blitz
On September 18, 2023, community leaders from Champaign County came together for the Communities of Practice Blitz which launched the work in Phase 2 of the Champaign County Welcoming Plan . This blitz provided members of the Communities of Practice team to sit down and develop actionable plans toward immigrant inclusion in Champaign County. The […]
Communities of Practice
On May 15, 2023 the Communities of Practice team met to continue work on implementing the Welcoming Plan. This team is made up of leadership across the county from City departments, not-for-profits, and other public service entities. The Welcoming Plan is a set of strategic initiatives to welcome immigrants and better integrate foreign-born residents into […]