Latest news with #ChampaignCo.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Champaign Refugee Center reacts to sweeping travel bans and restrictions
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — President Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday that bans visitors and immigrants from 12 countries and restricts the entry of people from another seven. This has some in Central Illinois, including those at the Refugee Center in Champaign scared, but Trump said it's necessary for the security of the country. Champaign Co. energy program receiving $1M through grant 'It can't come fast enough, we don't want other bad people coming into our country,' Trump said. The countries facing full bans include: Afghanistan Myanmar Chad Republic of Congo Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Haiti Iran Libya Somalia Sudan Yemen The countries facing restrictions include: Burundi Cuba Laos Sierra Leone Togo Turkmenistan Venezuela Long called the melting pot, Refugee Center Director Lisa Wilson said Trump's proclamation goes directly against what the country represents. She and her team work daily helping immigrants immerse themselves into their new homes. 'It flies in the face of what America stands for,' Wilson said. 'Unless you were a Native American, at some point in our history, somebody in your family decided they were in a situation where they could not stay in their home country, and they had no choice but to leave.' Wednesday's proclamation doesn't take effect until Monday, but Trump said this continuation of his first term actions will protect Americans from countries that lack vetting and screening. OSF's Urbana, Danville medical centers merging to meet 'critical needs' 'It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws,' Trump said in the proclamation. Wilson said if Trump is so concerned about security, he should have never suspended the country's Refugee Admissions Program in January. 'The refugee resettlement system has multiple checks and balances, multiple security steps that the Department of State is in control of,' Wilson said. 'This isn't dependent on a country of origin.' She said Champaign County has large populations of people from Afghanistan, the Republic of Congo and Venezuela. She said this ban, although it has exceptions, could keep families apart indefinitely. 'I do think there is a tendency of this administration to demonize immigrants, especially non-Christian immigrants,' Wilson said. There are several exceptions, however. Those include: U.S. permanent residents and the spouses and children of U.S. citizens who have 'clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship' Afghans who assisted American forces and have special visas Diplomats Athletes coming to the U.S. for the World Cup, the Olympics and other major sporting events Dual nationals with a passport from a country not listed in the President's decree Adoptions Ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran with immigrant visas Exceptions made by the attorney general or secretary of state for travel deemed as advancing 'United States national interest' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
U of I's Research Park resumes housing plans after COVID hiatus
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — It's not uncommon to see new apartment buildings going up around the University of Illinois, but the latest plan has some going up in an unconventional spot on campus. Research Park is looking to add housing near First Street and Windsor Road. The idea is several years old; it predates the COVID-19 pandemic, but plans were put on hold for that reason. Champaign Co. program helping at-risk homes stay cool during extreme heat Planners said the housing project is being designed for U of I staff within Research Park, staff at Carle and for graduate students. 'We know that people are working here, we know that they're playing here a little bit, but we want to make sure that we're adding that living component,' Laura Bleill, Director of External Engagement for Research Park, said. 'And we have enough land to accomplish that goal, and it's laid out and was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2018.' Research Park is in conversations with a potential developer, but nothing has been signed. There's no estimate on how soon construction could start. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Champaign Co. Sheriff shares Memorial Day seatbelt enforcement results
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman is releasing statistics from the traffic detail conducted over the holiday weekend. The grant-funded traffic detail focused specifically on seat belt enforcement over Memorial Day weekend. During the enforcement efforts, deputies conducted 12 traffic stops which resulted in 13 traffic citations being issued and one arrest for aggravated DUI and possession of a controlled substance. As Champaign Co. prepares to discuss a solar proposal, residents voice concerns Additionally, Heuerman is reminding drivers that the privilege of operating a vehicle requires full and unimpaired attention to ensure safe operation of that vehicle. 'Get a designated driver if your plans include possible intoxication, don't violate speed limits or otherwise drive recklessly, don't text and drive, and always buckle up!' Heuerman said in a press release. The traffic detail was able to be carried out through federal highway safety funds distributed by the Illinois Department of Transportation and is part of the Illinois-wide 'Click It or Ticket' campaign. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Champaign Co. workers rallying for better contracts
URBANA (WCIA) — Dozens of Champaign County employees are asking for fair wages and affordable health care. 'We want to be able to buy groceries, keep a roof over our head. We don't want to have to work two and three jobs at a time to make ends meet,' Cecelia Phillips, the AFSCME local 900 president, said. Champaign Co. looking to stop backyard barns Phillips works in the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's Office and organized a rally Tuesday afternoon in hopes it'll change the minds of local government officials. 'Right now, our health care has the potential to go up 150% next year. And we are asking for a guarantee that it won't change anywhere from what we are doing this year,' Phillips said. Right now, their insurance costs about $5,000 annually The county pays for $3,000 of that and employees pay the left over. But, she said the problem is the county doesn't want to guarantee any coverage over their deductible on the next contract. 'Our main issue is, once we see the affects of our health care costs go up, our essentially, our living wage will just be gone,' Champaign County Maintenance worker Jarod Tinsley said. Champaign Police invites community to attend Police Week events Tinsley said he's supporting his co-workers who are hoping to find middle ground in the agreement. 'I mean, it would be nice to see a couple of higher percentage points on the raise, the raises that we're asking for. I can't get into any specifics about exactly what we're asking for. We're not asking for the moon,' Tinsley said. Tinsley said they've been going on five months without a contract. Now, he and other employees are confused as to why the county isn't able to give them what they're asking for. 'The county doesn't have any money. They have a brand new building. They have an empty building. Find it,' Phillips said. 'They find it for things that they need. Make the employees a priority.' Champaign Co. officials move into Urbana's new Bennett Administration Center Phillips said they're prepared to continue contract negotiations until they find an agreement. WCIA reached out to Champaign County Executive Steve Summers. Summers said Champaign County 'values their staff and are working through the collective bargaining process to come to an agreement on a contract.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘It shaped me'; Black leaders in Urbana talk resilience, motivation to push the city forward
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — DeShawn Williams is the new Mayor of Urbana — the first Black man to be elected to the role. He ran unopposed in Champaign County's general election and now joins a growing list of influential African American leaders throughout the city, including Fire Chief Demond Dade and Police Chief Larry Boone. Tolono could have first African American Village President It's the first time in Urbana's history all three positions are held by Black men. 'Being able to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of Black Americans is wonderful because most often the storyline is about our experience,' Dade said. Dade grew up in Quincy where his cousin encouraged him to give firefighting a try. He was apprehensive to say the least. 'Anytime that I had history class, you would see firefighters spraying Black people down in the street with hoses, so it's nothing that I aspired to be,' Dade said. Hundreds of miles away in New Jersey, Boone's childhood was plagued by his circumstances. 'As a juvenile, I had been arrested at least twice,' Boone said. 'Growing up in the inner city, you didn't see many folks that would inspire you to be law enforcement.' Tango music festival returns to Champaign-Urbana His life did a 180 when he moved in with his grandparents where he went on to play college football and try out for the NFL. 'I was afforded a new environment, an environment where I didn't have the stressors of being hungry, the stressors of gang life, the stressors of dope and gang life,' Boone said. 'Had I remained, I would probably be dead or in prison.' Williams was born in Indiana, where he said he started life as an 'at-risk youth.' He said, in addition to his family, outside influences helped him believe that he could be more than his circumstances. 'Sometimes, what's right in front of you can overshadow your thoughts and your view of the future,' Williams said. 'It took some of those individuals that I looked up to outside of my household to really pour into me and show me what was possible.' Together, the three men hope that their leadership shows anything is possible. 'You catch me on any given day, [and] I look like the stereotype,' Williams said. 'I'm in a T-shirt, jeans and tattoos. I look like what we see on the streets that sometimes become a hashtag, and for me, I wanted to be very clear in saying that you can remain yourself and still have an amazing impact.' The three aren't Urbana natives, but they recognize the importance of fostering a community where people thrive. Four Champaign Co. restaurants receive yellow alerts in health inspections 'Your environment sometimes can predict who you will be,' Boone said. In Urbana, they've found a home that accepts their philosophies and has given them a platform to lead. 'Urbana is just like Ellis Island — the mixing pot, the melting pot of the country,' Dade said. 'It gives our youth an opportunity not to just look up to us in these positions, positions that they don't typically get to see people who look like them, but it speaks to the resilience of the people.' Whether on the campaign trail, or the scene of an emergency, their stories shape their response, add to their relatability and continue to redefine the city. 'I wouldn't trade my worst day for anyone's best because it shaped me,' Boone said. 'I just hope we're able to push the city, each department, forward for the good of the people.' Williams won't officially take office until he's sworn in next month, but he said the preparation is already well underway. He said he looks forward to working with law enforcement in the city. 'Even beyond our police chief, our fire chief, just again, our clerks, our state representatives, we've set the standard for what's possible, and I'm just excited to be in that conversation,' Williams said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
