City of Champaign Represents at Global Human Rights Conference
Community Relations Manager Janel Gomez attended the 76th Annual Conference of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA). The Conference highlighted important topics such as fair employment practices, housing discrimination, addressing hate, and exploring global human rights issues. There were sessions focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership; enforcement of anti-discrimination ordinances; policy; […]
Equity & Engagement Staff Gives Presentation to Police Training Institute Cadets
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager in the Equity and Engagement Department, delivered an impactful presentation to more than 110 cadets from across Illinois at the Police Training Institute. City staff discussed the vital role that community relations and public engagement play in effective law enforcement. Topics included strategies for building […]
State Grant Awarded to Support Asylum Seekers in Champaign County
The City of Urbana, in partnership with the City of Champaign, The Refugee Center, New American Welcome Center, and Cunningham Township Supervisor’s Office, were awarded a $247,918 grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services to fund services to asylum seekers in Champaign County. Both Urbana and Champaign City Councils will review acceptance of these […]
Council, City Staff Attend Event for BOWA Construction
Mayor Feinen, Members of the City Council, and City Staff attended a meet and greet for BOWA Construction Group on Tuesday, February 13 at the iHotel & Conference Center. The event was held to provide Council and staff with information on the firm’s previous work projects and current projects in the Champaign-Urbana area, including projects for […]
MLK Countywide Celebration – January 12
The City’s Community Relations Office invites the public to attend the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration and Awards on Friday, January 12, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. at Vineyard Church (1500 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana). This year’s program will celebrate and honor outstanding youth in our community. Learn more.
City Building Display Case Promotes Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Staff from Courage Connection assisted staff from the Community Relations Office to decorate the display case in the City Building Atrium this month. The display case highlights a calendar of events being held by the organization as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, including a Candlelight Vigil being held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, October […]
City Receives High Marks for Inclusive Policies
The Human Rights Campaign issues an annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI) score for hundreds of cities across the country. The MEI measures how inclusive municipal policies, laws, and services are for LGBTQ individuals working and living there. Champaign was one of 506 cities scored during the 2017 MEI and one of nine cities in Illinois. Champaign ranked in the top […]
Community Relations, Welcoming Center Create Atrium Display for Welcoming Week
Gloria Yen and her team from the New American Welcoming Center stopped by the City Building to decorate the display case in the atrium. The New American Welcoming Center is housed at the University YMCA. The display case highlights welcoming week, which runs from September 15 to 24. Please stop by the atrium to check […]
Community Relations Staff Attends Annual Meeting
Rachel Joy, Community Relations Manager/Compliance Officer, attended the Illinois Municipal Human Relations Association (IMHRA) annual meeting in Springfield, IL on Tuesday, September 14. The meeting was hosted by the Community Relations Office of the City of Springfield. Members discussed upcoming statewide Hate Crime training and received an overview of the new amendment to the Illinois […]
Now Available: Champaign Connection Episode 58
Champaign Connection Episode 58 will be playing on CGTV, YouTube, and the City’s website from now until the end of September. You don’t want to miss this exciting episode where we discuss the responsibilities of the City of Champaign Township. We’ll learn about the two primary functions of the Township – general assistance for those […]