Downtown Picnic Parks
The City of Champaign and the Champaign Park District have partnered to provide three Picnic Parks in Downtown where anyone can grab carryout from local restaurants and have their own picnic. The idea was to help Downtown restaurants who were allowed to have outdoor dining last month, but obviously aren’t able to take as many […]
Champaign Public Works Director Announces Retirement
Champaign’s Public Works Director Dennis Schmidt has announced his pending retirement after more than 23 combined years of service to the City of Champaign. Schmidt’s last day of employment with the City will be July 10, 2020. Upon making his announcement Schmidt said, “I have served as the City’s Public Works Director for almost 16 […]
City of Champaign Issues Emergency Order 20-20
Today Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen issued Emergency Order 20-20 which expressly allows the use of City streets and right-of-way for marches by community members exercising their First Amendment rights to free expression and assembly. On May 20, 2020, Mayor Feinen issued Emergency Order 20-17, which suspended the issuance of special event permits through September 7, […]
City of Champaign Creates Web Page to Respond to Questions About Community Policing
As community demonstrations locally and across the nation in response to the senseless death of George Floyd shine a light on the need for continued discussions about race and community policing, the City of Champaign has received numerous inquiries from the public about the policies, accountability, and training requirements of the Champaign Police Department. The […]
City of Champaign Issues Emergency Order 20-19
Yesterday Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen issued Emergency Order 20-19 which allows for the carryout and delivery of pre-mixed alcoholic beverages during the COVID-19 emergency. This change is in accordance with recent amendments to the Illinois Liquor Code. State law now permits the transportation of pre-mixed alcoholic beverages provided they are contained in a glass, metal, […]
Statement from Mayor Feinen Regarding Civil Unrest and Curfew Order
Earlier today, peaceful community protests regarding the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week took a violent turn when groups of individuals began to destroy property and loot from stores at Market Place Mall and other businesses in Champaign. The concerns and anger that protestors are expressing are raw and real in response to the senseless deaths and mistreatment of African Americans across the country, but this type of unlawful behavior […]
City of Champaign Issues Emergency Order 20-18 to Facilitate Outdoor Dining in Support of Local Bars and Restaurants
Today Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen issued Emergency Order 20-18, which implements a three-pronged plan to support local bars and restaurants planning to provide outdoor dining options to customers as Champaign moves into phase three of the state’s Restore Illinois reopening plan later this week. First, the Emergency Order allows for the temporary expansion of the […]
Champaign Developing Outdoor Dining Options in Support of Local Restaurants
On May 20, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced that bars and restaurants will be able to open for outdoor seating during phase three of the state’s reopening plan, which is expected to start in Champaign on May 29. In response, the City of Champaign is actively developing a three-pronged plan to support the many local establishments […]
NSD Hosts Virtual Leader Meeting
The Neighborhood Services Department hosted its first virtual Neighborhood Leaders Forum via zoom on May 13th. The meeting provided an opportunity to virtually connect with leaders from 23 registered groups representing neighborhoods throughout the City for Champaign. Champaign Police provided an update regarding policing priorities and operational changes in response to COVID-19. Neighborhood Coordination shared […]
Champaign Police Apply for Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding
Champaign Police have submitted a request for the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Grant in the amount of approximately $150,000 to help ensure and maintain necessary public safety services. If approved, it will help cover the proactive COVID-19 related expenditures taken by the Department to date. With the health and safety of its sworn officers […]