October Meetings

Champaign (calendar)

Meetings are held at the City Council Chambers ( or you can Live Stream or watch the videos later here) unless otherwise indicated. How to address the council information. 102 N. Neil St., Champaign (map)

Champaign Human Relations Commission: October 1st @ 5:30pm

Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month at 5:30 pm in City Council Chambers, 102 N. Neil St., Champaign.

Champaign City Council:

• Regular Meetings: October 2nd and October 16th (Maybe October 30th?) @ 7pm
•  Regular meetings of the City Council are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the City Building, 102 N Neil Street, Champaign.  Regular meetings are used to conduct the legislative work of the City, including voting on Ordinances, Resolutions, holding public hearings, and approving expenditures.  Major items of legislation are often discussed in Study Session meetings prior to being voted on during a Regular Meeting.

• Study Session Meetings: October 9th and October 23rd @ 7pm
•  Study Session meetings of the City Council are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the City Building, 102 N Neil Street, Champaign. Study Session meetings are used to engage in an in-depth analysis and discussion of a particular topic.  Informal polls are commonly taken by the Council to provide general staff direction on the subject being discussed, but no formal action is taken during Study Session meetings.  Study Session topics needing formal approval will be place on a subsequent Regular Meeting agenda for a Council vote.

Urbana (calendar)

Meetings are held at the Urbana City Council Chambers (links to agendas and videos here) unless indicated otherwise. Meeting brochure with protocols. 400 S. Vine St., Urbana (map)

Urbana Human Relations Commission: October 10th @ 5:30pm

The Commission holds regular monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Urbana City Council Chambers. Special meetings may be held as deemed necessary. 

Urbana City Council:

• Regular Meetings: October 1st and October 15th @ 7pm
•  The Council meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm.
• Committee of the Whole Meetings: October 8th and October 22nd @ 7pm
•  The Committee of the Whole meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 7pm.

The City Council establishes laws for citizen welfare, determines policies that govern providing municipal services and approves certain Mayoral appointments.

County Government: The Week Ahead posts

Champaign Updates: Park District and Police Department

Alcohol will still be served at certain events at the Virginia Theater thanks to the Champaign Park District Board:

Champaign Park Board renews deal for Farren's to sell alcohol at Virginia
...
On Wednesday night, the Champaign Park Board voted 4-0 to approve an agreement with Farren's Pub and Eatery to provide a selection of beer, wine and other types of alcoholic beverages at the Virginia through Sept. 25, 2019.

Virginia Director Steven Bentz said Farren's has served as the theater's alcohol merchant partner for the past four years.

The alcohol, which is sold in the front lobbies, is only available for certain events.

More at the blurb here. There will also be a "Coffee with a Cop" event held by the Champaign Police Department this upcoming Wednesday:

Champaign police's Coffee with a Cop Day set Wednesday at Biggby
Members of the public are invited to have coffee with and ask questions of Champaign police Wednesday.

As part of the third annual national Coffee with a Cop Day, guests can have a free cup of coffee from 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday at Biggby Coffee, 401 S. Mattis Ave., C.

More information at the full blurb here.

UIUC Updates

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees met this week about a range of budget issues and expansion of the area UI Research Park. From the News-Gazette Thursday:

UI to spend $4B over next 10 years on building, maintenance projects
The University of Illinois plans to ramp up annual spending on building and maintenance projects by 25 percent as part of a new long-range capital planning program.

For the first time, the university is setting an annual target of $400 million for everything from building repairs and remodeling to new classroom buildings and research facilities.

The UI identified more than 500 projects that need to be completed in the next five to 10 years, then prioritized that list based on enrollment projections and course demand, student needs, research requirements and other factors...

Also on Thursday, trustees approved:

— The appointment of William Sanders, head of the Department of Electrical and Computer engineering in Urbana, as interim director of DPI.

— Appointments for two deans: Art and design Professor Kevin Hamilton for the College of Fine and Applied Arts, and political science Professor Tracy Sulkin for the College of Media.

— A new long-term master plan for the UI Research Park that would allow for another 1.5 million square feet of offices, labs, light industrial buildings, retail and housing development and entertainment or athletic facilities.

— A $6.83 billion operating budget, up 4.6 percent from last year thanks to increases in state funding, tuition income and gifts.

More details and information at the full article here. More background information at the article previewing the meeting and agenda here. There was also a recent economic impact study on the University of Illinois System, with local campus breakdowns:

Hardy said the new study, based on data from the fiscal year that ended June 30, also includes a breakdown of the economic impact of three UI campuses.

The Urbana campus contributes $8.9 billion to the state's economy, or about 1.1 percent, more than the state's arts, entertainment and recreation industry, the study said. It also supports 88,357 jobs.

Those totals are higher than the other two campuses — $7.6 billion and 73,500 jobs for Chicago, and $834 million and 8,100 jobs for the much smaller Springfield campus.

But students in Chicago and Springfield saw a higher rate of return on their investment.

For every dollar that Urbana students put into their education, they receive $4.70 in career earnings — a 14.5 percent annual return. The average bachelor's degree graduate will earn $30,800 more annually than a high school graduate, netting about $1.4 million more in career earnings.

Full article here, including criticisms of economic study methodology and what meaning it may or may not have.

Dockless Bikes, Everywhere!

So, if you don't follow local city government and are noticing turquoise bicycles scattered throughout town in ever growing random places, this was the result of policy changes at the local level in an agreement between Champaign and Urbana City governments and the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Information on this C-U area phenomenon can be found with additional links (including who to complain to if the things are parked where they shouldn't be) here: http://champaignil.gov/2018/09/19/dockless-bike-share-service-launches-in-champaign-urbana/

Essentially the dockless bikes are unlocked via a mobile app that charges various rate options to use. Once you're done you slide the lock back on in an appropriate area and someone else can use it. The company is required to pick them up if they're not where they're supposed to be and the link above has that contact information.

More on the government evolution towards this agreement, including articles covering Champaign, Urbana and the University of Illinois role in the process at the here.

UIUC Updates

There was information from the University of Illinois Police academy for various UIUC students and staff in today's News-Gazette:

UI Police Department's fall community police academy begins Oct. 11
The University of Illinois Police Department is encouraging students, staff and faculty who want to know more about policing and the justice system to join them for a community police academy this fall.

The free three-hour classes are held in the fall and spring and take place on Thursdays over four weeks.

Class sessions include presentations and demonstrations from members of specialized units like investigations, patrol, crime-scene technicians, SWAT, bomb squad and K-9. Participants can also ride along with a UI police officer.

Class members can expect to learn about crime patterns and how to stay safe on campus, as well as what police face in their daily activities...

For more information and to sign up, go online to go.illinois.edu/CommPoliceAcademy.

Signup is available only to UI students, faculty and staff on the Urbana campus.

Full article here. WAND highlighted the University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

UofI police publish security and fire safety report
...
To read the report for yourself, click HERE.

The report shows robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft on campus stayed relatively low.

2017 saw a small decrease of reports in those categories.

Reports of sexual violence increased.

Liquor and drug law arrests on campus remained low.

Full blurb here. The UIUC Extension with 4-H had a "hunger summit" program working to address hunger in the community. From WAND:

Teens fight hunger at Illinois 4-H Hunger Summit
Teens at the Illinois 4-H Hunger Summit were trained on how to tackle hunger issues in their local communities.

The summit was held Sept. 21-23 and was sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension 4-H...

The activity prepared them for their summit goal of designing a plan to address hunger in their local community.

Teens toured the Midwest Food Bank in Normal.

Last year, the food bank distributed $116 million worth of food. The center receives 160 semi-loads of food a month. All of the food they receive for redistribution is donated. Kellogg's and Wal-Mart are two of the largest contributors.

The foodbank also works to help victims of disasters. Volunteers are currently packing boxes for those effected by Hurricane Florence.

Summit participants spent two hours packaging 1,500 bags. 

Full article here.

Unit 4 School Board Meeting

Today's News-Gazette had an overview of the packed meeting:

Champaign teachers take protest over stalled contract talks to board
A protest led by teachers over stalled contract negotiations, a plea from a real-estate lawyer for the district to speed up negotiations with the homeowners he represents and the re-inclusion of lights at a renovated McKinley Field all made appearances at Monday night's school board meeting...

Six weeks into the school year with no contract and negotiations stalling along the way, the teachers showed up to hear White again tell the board about the union's concerns: class size, teacher home visits to students and extra professional requirements...

White said after Monday's meeting that a federal mediator is slated to be in Champaign on Oct. 8 to continue talks between the union and district...

In other news, the board unanimously approved a budget for fiscal year 2019 that didn't include teacher salaries or benefits...

The board also unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement between it and the city about the field that includes a provision saying it is to be used for "Unit 4 athletic and educational purposes with the exception of varsity football games."

Full article with more details here.

Urbana Updates

If you're interested in running for Urbana Park District commissioner, Smile Politely has a quick starter blurb. Full blurb here. Excerpt below:

Petitions can be picked up at the Darius E. Phebus Administrative Office of the Park District at 303 West University in Urbana from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday through Friday. Those interested in running are encouraged to attend board meetings — you can find the schedule here — as well as set up a meeting with Tim Bartlett, the Urbana Park District Executive Director, to learn more about the responsibilities of the office. You can get a general idea here.

 The News-Gazette had an overview of the City Council meeting yesterday:

Urbana council OKs police plan for body cameras, new video equipment
The Urbana Police Department is moving forward with a plan to give every officer a body camera and replace aging digital equipment after the city council approved a budget amendment to make that possible.

On Monday, aldermen approved rearranging $31,000 in funds so police could have the $219,130 necessary to buy 57 body cameras, 13 in-vehicle video systems for new squad cars coming in October or November and new equipment for interview rooms...

Seraphin said he expects all his officers to have a body camera by the end of the year, depending on when new squad cars are delivered. He added that there will be "a little bit of a lag" as the department activates new squad cars.

In other business, the council gave preliminary approval to rezoning and annexation ordinances that will enable the Union Gardens development slated for an area north of historically black neighborhoods in Champaign and Urbana to move forward.

The biggest debate on the issue Monday focused developer Trinitas' traffic study, with some aldermen saying they thought it did not properly anticipate the traffic the project could bring to the area, especially on Carver Drive.

More at the full article here. On the recent emergency meeting on fights at Urbana schools, WAND had coverage (including video):

Fights in school prompt emergency district meeting
An emergency meeting was held Sunday to discuss the safety of students at both Urbana High School and Urbana Middle School.

Parents, friends, students and staff were all concerned about the recent fights that broke out at both schools and they came together to address the issue...

Urbana High School's principal, Urbana Middle School's principal and the superintendent of Urbana said leaders are not taking this issue lightly.

A lot of the fights have been outside of school grounds, surfacing on social media and that's when they get involved. They say they are reinforcing in both a classroom setting and outside of school the outcomes of social media and how parents can monitor their children...

Urbana High School will be having a meeting Tuesday and the principal encourages parents and students to attend. If they can't make it, she says she will be more than happy to speak to the parents directly and help solve any additional issues that she might not be aware of.

More at the full article here. Background and preview of the meeting from the News-Gazette here. [UPDATE: the Urbana High School meeting information is at the News-Gazette here. The same concerns about the restorative discipline program were raised with staff assuring parents that the change has just started and highlighted their obligation to ensure every student gets an education.]

Hospital Tax Case Updates

The Illinois Supreme Court recently upheld an exemption that has kept certain tax money collected by local governments in a legal limbo during litigation. What that means for local and county governments is still up in the air pending further litigation that will ride on the courts ruling on the nitty gritty from this decision. The lack of a definitive resolution was explained in a News-Gazette article last week:

Illinois Supreme Court upholds hospital tax-exemption law
An Illinois Supreme Court ruling upholding the state's 6-year-old hospital tax-exemption law is being viewed as a win for both nonprofit hospitals and taxing districts, but it remains to be seen how it will play out in the Carle Foundation's pending lawsuit over property taxes in Champaign County.

The state Supreme Court on Thursday morning unanimously affirmed a First District Appellate Court ruling that upheld the constitutionality of the state law that created new standards for nonprofit hospitals to obtain exemptions from paying property taxes in their communities.

Full article here. Naturally, both the hospital and the taxing authorities seem to think they'll be victorious (at least in their public posturing) in upcoming litigation on the matter. From today's News-Gazette:

Illinois' charity care statute was upheld, but are hospitals really the winner?
...
Steve Pflaum, the Chicago lawyer representing Carle, said it's easy to focus on the longstanding controversy in Champaign County over hospital tax exemptions, when, in fact, hospitals have a long history in Illinois of being tax-exempt and the state constitution hasn't changed.

Pflaum doesn't see any ambiguity in the Supreme Court decision about what hospitals need to do to meet the constitutional test, he said, and he sees Carle being in a solid position heading to trial...

Fred Grosser, the attorney representing Urbana and Cunningham Township in the Carle lawsuit, contended hospitals are going to have to show considerably more than whether they serve everyone regardless of ability to pay to meet the constitutional standards.

He views the Supreme Court's decision as about a 90 percent win for taxpayers and taxing districts, he said.

"Contrary to the claims of Carle and the Illinois Hospital Association, this decision is devastating to them," Grosser said.

Full article here. A local law professor quoted in the article appeared to explain that the courts will still have to figure out how to legally apply the legalese... or something. I leave it to adventurous readers to figure it all out at the original articles. UPDATE: Another article previewing where the both sides of the case are in light of some of the trial judge's input: Judge seeks to clarify how state Supreme Court ruling applies to Carle tax case.

CUSF and Fowler Farm Project

The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation was highlighted along with a recent farm project with local schools. A small overview of the CUSF from its history page:

In 1988, local citizens came together to establish the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation. Concerned about cuts to state and local education budgets, they wanted to provide a way for individuals and businesses to invest in our local public schools.

These citizens believed that private funds would provide critical assistance when budgets were tight and public funds must be spent conservatively. Those extra dollars would allow teachers to think imaginatively and try new ideas at a time when school administrations could not afford to take many risks. Moreover, the opportunity for teachers and administrators to witness and evaluate small-scale demonstrations or pilot programs leads to greater effectiveness in the use of public funds.

And from the News-Gazette Friday:

Open house to show community how farm sparks students' outdoor interests
...
Funded by a grant from the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation, the outdoor work project's origins lie with Edison Middle School science teacher Julie Anders. She had hoped to create a "living lab" on farmland near the school, but said funding from CUSF allowed the project to expand beyond her initial plans.

"CUSF stepped in in a big way and gave us our grant that allowed us to do these all-day field trips," Anders said. "We took 20 kids from Urbana High School and 20 kids from Edison, and then we fashioned an all-day program that had them doing stations and planting plants and gathering water. We had a pretty ambitious program, trying to encompass everything, and we've had to just do what we could with the kids that we had on the days that we had."

...

Initially, sustainable gardening was the focus of the Fowler Farm project. But as years passed, the project expanded to include chickens; a pond dug by students (now filled with fish and topped with water lilies); even a "Chopped" challenge, later in the school year...

For [high school senior Mona Jawd], that experience helped her decide what to pursue past high school. She's able, now, to speak at-length about food deserts and research showing the amount of wasted space where food could be grown. She even pitched it as her own project.

"Edible landscaping — the method of using plants to create a beautiful space — as soon as I mentioned it, Fowler Farm gave me an outlet, and that's not something students normally get," she said. "When I read about it in a book, I thought it would be really cool to bring it to Champaign to show students here. The first thing they did was find me a mentor in landscaping." 

Full article here.

Tax Incentives for College Towns

State level legislation is in the works that could benefit University town economies like ours with the support of the University of Illinois System. From the News-Gazette Friday:

UI pushing tax-incentive program to attract businesses to college towns
A tax-incentive program to attract more businesses to campus communities in Illinois, and spur jobs for students, is being pushed by the University of Illinois.

The "Grow Illinois" bill, as it's called for now, will be part of the legislative package from the University of Illinois this fall for consideration next spring, officials said Wednesday.

The draft bill would provide "significant" tax advantages for companies that come to the state and are associated with a public university, UI President Tim Killeen said during an interview with The News-Gazette's editorial board Wednesday...

As of now, Grow Illinois would include all public universities and possibly community colleges, Creasey said.

It would also fit the economic development component of the UI's proposed "Investment, Performance and Accountability Commitment" to create a new state funding model for Illinois universities, she said. IPAC would guarantee universities a certain level of funding for five years in exchange for meeting specific targets in terms of student achievement, financial aid and other areas.

The bill will likely be rolled out in October or November, to be considered in the next legislative session, Creasey said.

Full article here, including the interview with Tim Killeen mentioned above.

Parkland Board Update

From the News-Gazette Friday had a summary and additional information about the new marketing director, Erin Shannon, at the full article:

Parkland board approves hiring of new marketing director

...
— The board voted 7-0 to approve the 2018-19 fiscal year budget. The budget, which assumes enrollment will remain the same, includes a $333,191 operating surplus. The board voted to expend the remaining bond funds and interest it still controls after refinancing its 2009-10 series bond debt in August. The refinancing reduces the district's tax burden...

— Folks attending shows at Parkland's Harold and Jean Miner Theatre will soon notice a better sound system after members voted 7-0 to hire Conference Technologies Inc. of East Peoria to replace the sound system for $161,981. The existing sound system dates back to the original construction of the theater in 1985.

— The board voted 7-0 to increase the daily fees at the Child Development Center. The new fees will go into effect Oct. 1.

— Waste-hauling contract. The board voted 7-0 to approve a five-year contract with Area Disposal of Peoria for waste-hauling services.

Full article here.

Champaign Council and In-Town Zoning Change

The "In Town" neighborhood zoning rule passed, but with a last minute amendment that made a final adjustment. From the News-Gazette today:

Champaign council approves zoning changes for In-Town neighborhood
...
Before the final vote on the measure, council member Alicia Beck offered an amendment that reduced lot coverage from 40 to 35 percent and reduced footprints of new buildings from 3,750 to 3,250 square feet, which was narrowly approved, 5-4.

Council member Clarissa Nickerson Fourman, who voted against the amendment, quickly grabbed the microphone after the vote to call it a "joke" and said the council did not listen to the people.

The final vote for approval of the zoning changes was 8-0, with Fourman abstaining.

More arguments for and against with all the passions the issue raised at the full article here. Other issues were on the agenda too (video of the meeting available here):

In other business, the council unanimously approved finalizing a plat and amending zoning rules for the development of Union Gardens, a townhome and apartment complex proposed for an area that straddles the city line north of historically black neighborhoods in Champaign and Urbana...

Fourman said she fully supports the project, despite some of the comments from area residents.

"We are not going to get development on the north end if we don't start somewhere," she said. "I understand Urbana's position, but it's hard for me in my position to look at it and say 'No, this isn't good.' We should all be supportive of development in the north end. The north end has been stalled for my entire life."

Yard waste pickup was made available to all residents in a resolution passed last night as well in two consolidated council bills 2018-152 and 2018-153. The last few minutes of the council meeting covered quite a few bills on the agenda after a very long portion on the zoning issue and amendment. Video is available here from the city website along with the agenda.

Urbana Middle School Violence and Gunfire Damage

Dangers from outside and within the middle school have been in the news. From the News-Gazette yesterday and today:

Probe underway after bullet holes found on front of Urbana Middle School
An employee found damage at Urbana Middle School on Sunday, apparently from gunfire.

An Urbana police report said police were sent to the 1200 block of South Vine Street just after 1 a.m. Sunday for reports of shots that had been heard by several people.

Police could find no one responsible and no damage at the time of the call.

However, about 4:45 p.m. Sunday, a school employee found three bullet holes in the front of the middle school on the east side of the building at 1201 S. Vine St. and reported the damage to police.

Full blurb here. And a lot of people are confused and/or unhappy with the new restorative discipline system that replaced the dean system in hopes of reducing racial disparities at the middle and high schools:

Urbana parents, staff unsatisfied with district's approach to discipline
Nearly a month into the school year, parents and staff are still looking to district administrators for solutions to discipline issues raised earlier this year.

After deciding to eliminate deans from the middle and high schools in March, administrators spent months providing reassurance to staff and parents who wondered if a new system — one focused on restorative practices — could be ready by August, or if it was the correct solution to problems of increased fighting and discipline issues.

Public comment during Tuesday's school board meeting reflected a community still grappling with that question.

"I don't feel safe sending my kid to UHS anymore," Angela Lusk told the board. "My child has come home with more reports of fights at the high school — it's becoming greater and more frequent."

...

Middle school teacher Chuck Koplinski echoed her comments, describing to the board a building plagued with violence despite the efforts of the support staff hired to replace the deans.

"I am hear to tell you these new people you hired are working very hard, and they are very confused because they don't know what their role is," he said. "Students are ignoring them."

Kolpinsky detailed incident after incident, saying some middle school staffers who have attempted to break up fights have suffered broken bones.

"The middle school is no longer safe," he said. "We do not have an atmosphere of learning right now. We are waiting for the first fight to occur every day."

Full article on that school board meeting here.

Urbana Pedestrian Stops and Racial Disparities

Following up on a June Cheat Sheet post and more recent State reports on traffic and pedestrian stops. From the News-Gazette yesterday:

Urbana police pedestrian-stop numbers criticized over racial disparity
A community group and some aldermen are questioning why pedestrian-stop numbers reported by the Urbana Police Department for the past two years are so "exaggerated" when compared with other cities.

Police say a broader interpretation of state guidelines for reporting pedestrian stops inflated their numbers.

Interim Chief Bryant Seraphin said officers have taken it as a rule of thumb that if they're wondering whether they should count one, it should be counted, and he and data analyst Melissa Haynes emphasized that not all of the stops in the department's presentation to the council were required to be reported to the state.

The department also found that most of the stops were reactive, and that the demographics closely mirror those of police reports.

But in a separate presentation to the council, Deloris Henry and Belden Fields of C-U Citizens for Peace and Justice took issue with the numbers, saying they disproportionately affect African-Americans.

"The numbers are so similar to other cities, but not with the African-Americans," Fields said. "How does UPD explain this racial disparity when Caucasians outnumber African-Americans?"

More at the full article here. State reports on racial disparity in local police stops available here: pedestrian and traffic.

Area Electronic Recycling Registration Open

If you have electronics to recycle, registration for the area's big recycling event is now open (registration and more information at the website here). From the News-Gazette website last night:

Registration now open for Oct. 13 electronics recycling event
Registration has opened for this fall's electronics recycling event.

Residents from participating communities can register for 15-minute slots between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at ecycle.simplybook.me.

A little over half the slots are full, said Nichole Millage, environmental-sustainability specialist for the city of Champaign.

At the event at Parkland College, residents can drop off up to two TVs and up to 10 items total per person.

Millage said residents should check the registration website for details on what items are allowed to be dropped off.

For example, computers, cellphones and microwaves are allowed, but batteries, dehumidifiers, smoke detectors and vacuums are not.

The event is open to residents in Bondville, Broadlands, Champaign, Fisher, Gifford, Homer, Ivesdale, Ludlow, Mahomet, Odgen, Pesotum, Rantoul, Royal, Sadorus, Savoy, Sidney, Thomasboro, Urbana, and unincorporated Champaign County.

A few additional details at the full blurb here. There is a lot of additional information, including a Guide for Residents, at the registration website here. It includes area recycling options for items not part of this event and year round recycling options if you can't make it to this one.

Goal Getters

A collaboration between students, community members, Unit 4 administrators and the Champaign police appears to be paying dividends in boosting achievement by building on student strengths who were otherwise struggling. From yesterday's News-Gazette:

Real Goal Getters: Unit 4 high school program having positive impact on minority males
Most high school students wouldn’t sacrifice their Junes and Julys for anything. But for more than 30 Unit 4 students, Mondays and Tuesdays this summer were spent chanting together, eating together and learning leadership skills together.

These are students who have struggled socially and academically and needed a little push to get them on the right track, said Sheldon Turner, career services placement liaison for Operation Hope. He and Unit 4 administrators, as well as members of the community and Champaign police, put together the Goal Getters program...

At its core, the Goal Getters are a support group that builds on the popularity of some of these largely African- American students who seem to know everyone. Goal Getters, said Turner, was an opportunity for kids to make some money through community service work and discuss potential careers and job opportunities...
Goal Getters is continuing on this semester as an after-school program with a new group of students.

More at the web version of the article here.

CPD Internet Purchase Exchange Location

If you're looking for a safe place to exchange money and goods from an on-line sale, there's a new local option. Firearm purchases are excluded and not allowed to be possessed on the property either according to their webpage on the program. From Smile Politely today:

Champaign Police have made their parking lot a “safe space” for online purchase exchanges
If you've ever bought or sold something on Craigslist or some other online buying/selling site, you know that there's always a little apprehension about the actual exchange of goods. Are you going to be showing up at the door of a serial killer? Or maybe bringing one to your door? Okay, that might be catastrophizing just a bit. Most people doing business on these sites are legit. However, should you have safety concerns, the Champaign Police Department is making an effort to help out.

They have created an “Internet Purchase Exchange Location” that includes "two, well-lit parking spots, marked by signs, on the north end of the police station and will be under 24-hour video surveillance."

They also offer tips for safe internet exchange transactions...

More at the Smile Politely post and the Champaign Police webpage (and facebook post link here).

"In Town" Group Still Has Concerns

There are more concerns about building size rules from a local neighborhood group on a zoning ordinance the Champaign City Council is looking at this upcoming Tuesday. From the News-Gazette last week:

New building-size rules still a concern for Champaign neighborhood group
A couple hundred residents of Champaign's In-Town neighborhood west and south of downtown have banded together to protest a zoning ordinance up for a vote Tuesday by the city council.

It's the latest chapter in a monthslong effort by residents to keep the historic feel of some of Champaign's older neighborhoods intact.

Residents approve of many of the changes that resulted from months of meetings with city staff throughout the summer, including limiting the exterior materials used to construct new buildings to brick, stone, wood or fiber cement.

But some residents, including Brenda Koenig — who is part of the Washington and Hill Streets neighborhood group — don't think the ordinance does enough to thwart a massive change of density in the area. The group has sent a petition with over 200 signatures to city council members and hopes they consider that they haven't done enough.

More details at the full article here. Tuesday's City Council agenda is available here.

Landmark Hotel Sold at Auction

[UPDATE -12/12/2018: In long lost news that I apparently missed after the midterm elections and any related comatose states, the Landmark Hotel deal fell through and there doesn't appear to be any serious plan B yet. Reporting on that here and a News-Gazette editorial explaining the uncertain future here.]

The long dilapidated Landmark Hotel next to Urbana's Lincoln Square Mall has finally been sold, but it's future remains unknown as everyone in the area seems to hope that any chance at a brighter future is a positive step. Details about the developer who purchased the property here at the News-Gazette:

Las Vegas developer is winning bidder for Urbana's Landmark Hotel
A Las Vegas-based real-estate developer is the new owner-to-be of the shuttered Landmark Hotel in Urbana.

Mayor Diane Marlin said Friday that the hotel auction broker informed the city that the winning $1.3 million bid was submitted by JWM Ventures LLC of Las Vegas. Marlin said the buyer has not contacted the city, and she doesn’t know what its plans are for the downtown facility.

Marlin also said that JWM is not one of the groups that met with the city before this week’s auction.

“We continue to expect a high-quality, vibrant project at this site,” Marlin said.

More details at the full article here. There was a background article leading into the auction here with some more details on the history of previous sale attempts. The News-Gazette's editorial board weighed in with conservative admonishment of Urbana's liberal ways in the whole situation today as well.

Urbana City Council

From the News-Gazette a couple weeks back:

Urbana council keeps proposal for housing development in committee
The city council voted Monday night to keep a rezoning and annexation proposal for a housing development in the northern part of the city in committee for two weeks.

The development, Union Gardens by Lafayette-based Trinitas Ventures, will include 406 units of duplexes and townhouses aimed primarily at students and young professionals.

It's planned to be built in a 40-acre lot of farmland just north of Bradley Avenue, straddling the Champaign-Urbana city line.

More information on that at the full article, including about concerns about housing options for people with felony convictions. The Champaign side of the Union Gardens issue will be taken up this Tuesday by the Champaign City Council according to its agenda (which may have been moved since this article came out). There was an additional bit of information about community input:

At two public hearings in April and May, held at the Church of the Living God — which would end up being wedged between the development and Carver Park neighborhood — only six people attended each meeting, with all of them saying they supported the plan.

Dr. Evelyn Underwood, who spoke during the public-comment portion of Monday's meeting, said that if the developers had talked to more people, they would've gotten a different response to the project.

She also called this new development another example of something bigger.

"This is the first African-American neighborhood in Urbana," she said. "Carver Park will now be surrounded. I don't know where they're going to put all of us. They call it progress, but to us, we're being sucked up and taken out of our communities."

Champaign "The Yards" and Arena Roundup

Starting with the most recent news first, the proposal headed to Washington last week in an effort to seek funding options. From the News-Gazette last Friday:

'Yards' group heads to D.C. to lobby for federal grants for project
After pitching the Champaign City Council on the plan for "The Yards" development in the southern part of downtown, local officials traveled to the nation's capital to secure federal funding for the estimated $200 million project.

The group, including Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District Managing Director Karl Gnadt and University of Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman, has been meeting with transit officials, policy advisers and U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville.

"The group left Champaign Wednesday morning and returns Friday morning. The meetings have been positive and productive," said Lisa Meid, spokeswoman for the MTD. "MTD is particularly grateful for Congressman Davis' strong support of The Yards project."

The Yards could include an expansion of the Illinois Terminal, parking decks, 100-plus apartments, another downtown hotel, convention space and an arena for a potential Division I hockey team.

More information at the full article here. Even more details at the articles previewing last week's City Council study session meeting on it here and the reporting on what was discussed afterward here.

Unit 4 Roundup

As I'm playing catch-up during a very busy midterm election season in County politics, I've fallen behind on a lot of C-U local updates. Here's just a quick rundown of Unit 4 news over the last few weeks:

• School A/C costs and obstacles will keep some students in the heat in the near future: Keeping students cool no easy task for some area districts (article from 2016 with an overview of the A/C issues facing the district prior to the referendum here).
   
• Crossing Guards were demanded and received at the temporary new home for Dr. Howard Elementary School.
   
• A safer crossing for South Side Elementary is being demanded after an car hit a child crossing Prospect.
   
• There's a discussion on whether Dr. Howard will be a two strand or three strand school going forward (referring to the number of class groupings per grade level as this ChambanaMoms article explains with triplets!).
   
• The Burnham mansion was demolished for Central High School's expansion in a final chapter of a long struggle between preservationists and expanding the neighborhood school.
   
• State level Invest in Kids Act having mixed results locally, but benefiting Catholic schools in the area.
   
• Potential for violence partly behind moving Friday Night games to Saturday Mornings: Has violence turned off Friday night lights?

Pardon the news dump as I try to keep up!

Yard Sign Rules

[UPDATE: There was another political yard sign question on size answered by Champaign's Zoning Administrator in a later Tom's Mailbag:

The largest size allowed in residential areas is 24 inches x 36 inches, he said.

Champaign's only other rule is they be posted only on private property with the consent of the property owner.

"We will have a closer look around on Green Street to see what may have concerned the person who called you with the question," he said.

Urbana has no restrictions on the size of yard signs unless they could be considered a hazard.]

Champaign and Urbana rules on political signs like yard signs vary a bit. From Tom's Mailbag today:

In Urbana it is legal to place political signs in the right of way. From the city's website: "Signs that are for short-term, timed use shall be allowed in the city's right-of-way as long as the signs are removed immediately following the event. Such signs would include garage sale signs, political campaign signs, significant University of Illinois events (i.e. IHSA tournaments) and fund-raising advertisements for non-profit agencies (i.e. UBA events, Festival of Lights)."

But property owners can remove any political campaign sign directly in front of their property on the public right-of-way.

In Champaign no one is permitted, other than "signs erected by the city or its agents," from placing any signs in the public right of way at any time, said Zoning Administrator Kevin Phillips.

Full Mailbag here.


[Originally posted 8/18/2018 at 4:34pm]

Champaign Police Settlements

Champaign Police lawsuit settlements are a steep price this year (compare to a previous 6 year total of $1 million in the recent past) From the News-Gazette earlier this month:
Champaign council OKs settling two lawsuits against police for $3.7M
CHAMPAIGN — The city council approved settling two lawsuits accusing police officers of wrongdoing for a combined $3.7 million Tuesday night in what one council member said was "a business decision."

"This is not a reflection on the officers," Greg Stock said. "The idea that this is somehow reflective of their conduct is wrong. These were fine officers doing a fine job. This is a business decision because our liability is too high."

The bulk of the funds being paid — $3.5 million — is going to Teshome Campbell, who claimed he was wrongfully incarcerated for nearly 18 years in connection with the 1997 murder of James Shephard.

Campbell sued the city and six officers after his 1998 murder conviction was vacated and he was released from prison in 2016.

The council approved his settlement by a vote of 7-2, with Stock and Clarissa Nickerson Fourman voting "no." The payouts to Campbell and his lawyers will be handled by insurance.

The council also approved a $220,000 settlement for Alton Corey, who sued the city and two officers over their use of force when they were summoned to his apartment complex on Edgebrook Drive for a 2017 domestic dispute. That vote was 8-1, with Fourman the lone "no."
Full article here, including Fourman's explanation of her opposition that these settlements could encourage anti-police behavior while leaving residents living in squalor with even fewer resources from the City. An article prior to the vote laid out the background here.