The Human Rights Campaign issues an annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI) score for hundreds of cities across the country, which 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 2016 MEI and one of nine Illinois cities. Champaign ranked in the top […]
Staff from the Community Relations Office attended the Champaign County NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet held on October 14 at Hawthorne Suites. During the banquet, Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager/Compliance Officer, received the “Unity in the Community Award” for his ongoing commitment to the Champaign Community. The office also sponsored a joint ad with the Urbana Human Relations […]
Community Relations Manager Tracy Parsons served as the moderator for two Community Dialogue Meetings held on Monday, October 10 and Thursday, October 13. The meetings focused on the work of the Citizen Review Working Group to determine the need for a Civilian Review Board. The working group is comprised of community stakeholders and City staff, which […]
On Thursday, October 6, the Community Coalition held its first call-in of the CU Fresh Start initiative. CU Fresh Start is a new approach designed to focus on offenders with a history of violent, gun-related behaviors. Through this approach, individuals will be “called in” to a meeting with community members where they are given a […]
Reentry Resource Fair On Tuesday, October 11, staff from the Community Relations Office (CRO) attended the Champaign County Reentry Resource Fair held at the Illinois Terminal. The purpose of this event was to offer a “one-stop-shop” venue to link citizens returning to the community after incarceration, to local resources which may be able to help […]
Rev. Dr. Martin King, Jr. Countywide Celebration Call for Nominations Coming Soon! The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration is scheduled for Friday, January 13, 2017 at Parkland College. The theme for the 2017 event is: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” Each year, the Cities of Champaign and Urbana […]
The CU Fresh Start initiative held its first “Call-In” meeting on the evening of October 6, 2016. The Call-In was a powerful face-to-face meeting of law enforcement representatives, community members and social service providers sending a clear message to nine targeted offenders, their street groups, gangs, and associates. Their message – “The gun violence […]
On the latest episode of Champaign Connection, Lock It, Hide It, Keep It – that’s the latest message the police department wants to share with the community. There has been an increase in vehicle and residential burglaries around the area this year. We’ll find out how the police department is responding to these outbreaks and […]
The Champaign City Government 101 Academy kicked off September 15, 2016, with a welcome from Deputy Mayor Paul Faraci and a session on the City Council and City Manager’s Office. Class participants learned about the council-manager form of government, the various roles of the Council, Mayor, and City Manager, Boards and Commissions, liquor licensing, and […]
In partnership with the Public Works Department, the Community Relations Office held the annual Minority/Majority Contractor Luncheon on Tuesday, September 13 at the Hilton Garden Inn. A total of 65 attendees enjoyed the opportunity for lunch and networking. The event’s program included an overview by Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen of the City’s vision for Equal Opportunity in […]