Local Candidate Updates

[UPDATE (12/22/2018): All three challenged candidates will remain on the ballot this spring. From the News-Gazette:

The three-person board voted Friday to adopt opinions from city legal staff in the cases of mayoral candidate Azark Cobbs and city council hopefuls Pattsi Petrie and Kenton Elmore.

The objections covered several topics, such as invalid signatures or the candidate filling out the forms improperly.

City Attorney Fred Stavins said in the opinions that while some signatures are invalid, the candidates still had more than enough valid signatures and should stay on the ballot.

Council member Tom Bruno, who was on the electoral board for the Cobbs case, said objections to filings should be taken seriously.

More at the article here, including further concerns by Bruno with an audio interview clip.]

[UPDATE (12/20/2018): The News-Gazette pointed out today that the City's legal staff recommended keeping the candidates on the ballot which will likely be accepted by the electoral board tomorrow:

Legal staff: leave Champaign candidates on ballot
Three candidates for Champaign mayor and city council are primed to stay on the April ballot based on a recommendation from city legal staff.

Philip Fiscella is challenging the nominating petitions of Azark Cobbs, who's running for mayor, and Pattsi Petrie, who's running for an at-large council seat. Chris Beaird is objecting to the candidacy of at-large council candidate Kenton Elmore. The objections cover several topics, such as invalid signatures or the candidate filling out the forms improperly.]

   

City of Champaign:

Electoral Board hearings (what are these?) are coming up this Friday to decide the remaining petition challenges. Electoral Board Meetings from the city calendar (more info at link): December 21, 2018, 9:00 am, Council Chambers, 102 N. Neil, Champaign. The News-Gazette had a blurb on the challenges:

Former longtime Champaign City Council member Michael La Due will stay on the ballot in his bid to return to the council.

The city's electoral board met Tuesday to hear evidence on candidate objections, and Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Bannon said Philip Fiscella dropped his objection to La Due's nominating petitions for an at-large council seat.

Three other ballot challenges remain. Fiscella is also objecting to petitions filed by Pattsi Petrie, who's also running for an at-large seat, and Azark Cobbs, who's running for mayor. Also, Chris Beaird is objecting to petitions filed by at-large council candidate Kenton Elmore.

City legal staff will now draft opinions on each case, and the electoral board will vote on them Friday morning. For more general election calendar information for candidates (filing, challenge, etc dates) there's a calendar for the primary and general here at the County Clerk website.


Champaign / Unit 4 and Urbana District 116 School Board:

From the County Clerk Website and the News-Gazette:

Champaign Unit School District 4

• Amy Armstrong
• Elizabeth A Sotiropoulos
• Jennifer Enoch
• Lee McDonald
• Christopher Kloeppel
• Michael Foellmer
• Kathy Shannon
• Sergio Gonzalez
• Alicia R. Robinson

Champaign school board: 4 seats open

— Incumbents: Amy Armstrong, Chris Kloeppel, Kathy Shannon.

— Challengers: Jennifer Enoch, Michael Foellmer, Sergio Gonzalez, Lee McDonald, Alicia Robinson, Elizabeth Sotiropoulos.

— Sitting out: Kathy Richards won't run for a second term.

 and...

Urbana Unit School District 116

• Paul Poulosky - Sub District 6
• Anne Hall - Sub District 4
• Torionna L. Exum - Sub District 2
• Felipe Menanteau - Sub District 6
• Karie Brown-Tess - Sub District 4

Urbana school board: 3 seats open

— Incumbents: Anne Hall (Sub-District 4), Paul Poulosky (Sub-District 6).

— Challengers: Tori Exum (Sub-District 2), Karie Brown-Tess (4), Felipe Menanteau (6).

— Sitting out: Benita Rollins-Gay (2) isn't running for re-election.

 

The News-Gazette article also had some additional information on Champaign and Urbana Park District Board and Parkland Trustee Candidates:

Parkland College Board of Trustees: 3 seats open

— Incumbents: Bianca Truitt Green and Jonathan Westfield for the two six-year terms; Jim Ayers for the lone four-year term.

— Challenger: Doug Jones for a six-year term.

Champaign Park District Board: 1 seat open

— Incumbent: Tim McMahon

— Challenger: DeShawn Williams

Urbana Park District Board: 2 seats open

— Incumbents: Roger Digges, Michael Walker.

— Challenger: Cedric Stratton.

[Updated: Originally posted 12/19/2018 at 8:26am]

August 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: August 6th @ 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: August 7th and August 21st @ 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: August 14th and August 28th @ 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: Auguest 8th @ 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: August 6th and August 20th @ 7pm
•  The Council meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm.
• Committee of the Whole Meetings: August 13th and August 27th @ 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

July 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: July 2nd @11am (Special Meeting - Nominating Committee Meeting: agenda)

Meetings are normally 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: July 3rd and July 17th @ 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: July 24th @ 7pm (the July 10th date appears to be cancelled due to unavailability issues - will update if I hear otherwise)
•  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: July 11th @ 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: July 9th (rescheduled) and July 16th @ 7pm
•  The Council normally meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm.
• Committee of the Whole Meetings: July 9th and July 23rd @ 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

June 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: June 4th @ 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: June 5th and June 19th @ 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: June 12th and June 26th @ 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: June 13th @ 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: June 4th and June 18th @ 7pm
•  The Council meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm.
• Committee of the Whole Meetings: June 11th and June 25th @ 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

May 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: May 7th @ 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: May 1st and May 15th @ 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: May 8th and May 22nd @ 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: May 9th @ 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: May 7th and May 21st @ 7pm
•  The Council meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm.
• Committee of the Whole Meetings: May 14th and May 28th @ 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

April 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: April 2nd @ 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: April 3rd and April 17th @ 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: April 10th and April 24th @ 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: April 11th @ 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: April 2nd and April 16th @ 7pm
•  The Council meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm.
• Committee of the Whole Meetings: April 9th and April 23rd @ 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

March Meetings

Champaign (calendar)

Meetings are held at the City Council Chambers unless otherwise indicated. How to address the council information. 102 N. Neil St., Champaign (map)

Champaign Human Relations Commission: March 5th @ 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.
[UPDATE: Meeting Notes]

Champaign City Council:

• Regular Meetings: March 6th and March 20th @ 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: March 13th and March 27th @ 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 unless indicated otherwise. Meeting brochure with protocols. 400 S. Vine St., Urbana (map)

Urbana Human Relations Commission: March 14th @ 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: March 5th and March 19th @ 7pm
•  The Council meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm.
• Committee of the Whole Meetings: March 12th and March 26th @ 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