Early voting has already begun for the February 23rd Consolidated Primary Election and there is a lot of information available on the candidates available now. Below are links to a non-partisan candidate guide, candidate forum videos, and election information on how to register, early voting options, etc.
Non-Partisan Candidate Guide from the Champaign County Voters Alliance in cooperation with the League of Women Voters of Champaign County.
The League of Women Voters of Champaign County (along with the local NAACP and the News-Gazette) have several Candidate Forum videos on-line for Champaign and Urbana municipal candidates.
Urbana Alderman Candidate Forum videos:
WILL and Illinois Newsroom had additional Urbana Mayoral coverage of the Democratic primary here and here. The News-Gazette also had an overview of the Urbana Mayoral candidates here.
There were also two People's City Council candidate forums so far:
The discussion focused mainly on eradicating homelessness and included questions and responses from the public. Write-in candidate for Champaign City Council District 3 Justin Micháel Hendrix facilitated the meeting. Incumbents Jared Miller (Urbana City Council Ward 7) and Clarissa Nickerson Fourman (Champaign City Council District 1) participated. WCIA had a short overview:
They all agreed homeless is something that can end and that having a roof over your head is a fundamental to human life.
“Estimates show that Champaign County had over 5 thousand vacant rental units in 2019. Whereas Champaign County counted 140 hut homeless community members in 2020,” Hendrix said.
Some of the suggestions included permanent housing — not just shelters. They also said access to resources for jobs and other necessities could help.
That full blurb is available here. The conversation referred to a Cunningham Township report that had a lot of data on local housing, affordability, and poverty available on the Township website here.
- On Defunding the Police on 2/4:
WCIA also had coverage of that event here.
They’re a group of activists who were involved with Champaign County’s anti-racist coalition. Many took part in protests, demonstrations and community outreach projects over the summer.
Thursday night’s Q&A focused on defunding the police and its implications...
Their next discussion will take place on February 18th. In that discussion, the council will discuss ideas on how to tackle domestic violence in the city.
Full WCIA article and video segment here. Video of the event is available on facebook here. The Daily Illini had additional coverage here.
- The third People's City Council event was on Closing Gaps in Domestic Violence Survivor Support and available on the Central Illinois News facebook page here.
Smile Politely asked the Urbana candidates their thoughts about improving and enforcing the nuisance laws in Urbana here.
General election candidate forums are already in the planning stages. Update on that in the News-Gazette here.
Voting Information:
The Champaign County Voters Alliance has a helpful page for voters here. The Champaign County Clerk has official election information here.
Currently the only Early Voting location is at Brookens Administrative Center (Maps!). Other Early Voting locations will be opening closer to the election on February 15th. All Early Voting locations and times available here.
The Champaign County Voters Alliance has a Candidate Guide in collaboration with the local League of Women Voters available here.
The County Clerk's office has several helpful links on its website:
- My Voting Information
- Meet the Candidates (note there are some write-in candidates this election)
- Vote by Mail Ballot Request
- My Registration Status
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