Day of Forgiveness
On December 13, 2023 community members were invited to participate in the first ever ‘Day of Forgiveness’ in Champaign County. This Day of Forgiveness began the night before when families impacted by gun violence were able to have a meal with Dr. Tony Davis, a gun violence survivor himself, to discuss grief and the journey of forgiveness. The following […]
Champaign Police Call in Community Backup in Stuff the Squad Food Drive
On Giving Tuesday, November 28, Champaign Police joined area law enforcement and the Eastern Illinois Foodbank for a “Stuff the Squad” community food drive. Four local agencies – Champaign PD, Urbana PD, University of Illinois PD, and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office – participated in the friendly competition to collect non-perishable food items. Though the […]
Annual Parade of Lights Illuminates Downtown Champaign
There was a chill in the air but plenty of warm hearts at the annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Champaign on November 25, 2023. Thousands of twinkling lights put smiles on the faces of kids of all ages as shimmering floats wove their along the crowded downtown streets. City of Champaign parade participants included […]
City Celebrates Staff for Service and Values
The annual Employee Awards and Service Recognition Ceremony was held on November 15, 2023. This event celebrates the accomplishments and service of City of Champaign staff honored with either an employee award or for achieving a career milestone. This year’s celebration honored 83 employees who received an individual or team award. These staff members were […]
Five Champaign Residents Graduate from Community Police Academy
Police Chief Timothy T. Tyler and Assistant to the Chief Joe Lamberson were on hand on November 8, 2023, to celebrate the graduation of five Champaign residents from the countywide Community Police Academy. This nine-week program gave area residence an opportunity to learn about their local police departments through hands-on and classroom activities. It was […]
Resource Fair
On October 26, 2023, The Equity and Engagement Department and Neighborhood Services Department collaborated on a resource fair for Champaign residence. This fair took place from 4:00pm-6:00pm, in the parking lot of the commercial area shared with Blueprint Partner, Y on the Fly. There were more than 3 dozen people in attendance, even in midst […]
Welcoming Week Partner Thank You Reception
On October 24, 2023 the New American Welcome Center (NAWC) held their Welcoming Week Partner Thank You Reception. This event allowed all of the participants of Welcoming Week to come together in community and celebrate the success of the week. Champaign Police Chief and staff from the Equity and Engagement Department were in attendance. From […]
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 […]
Welcoming Week Joint Proclamation at the Kickoff Celebration
On September 8, 2023, Champaign County kicked off Welcoming Week in a big way! Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen and Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin came together to read the Welcoming Week Joint Proclamation during the Kickoff Celebration. This proclamation continues to show both Cities’ commitment to the inclusion and flourishing of our foreign born community members. This was […]
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
In a tribute to honor the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, the City’s Fire and Police Departments came together on 9/11 for their annual remembrance ceremony. The event, held at West Side Park, brought together the community, first responders, and elected officials to pay homage to the heroes and […]