Good Day
Champaign
Friday, January 16th, 2026
Good morning, Champaign. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Families have Valentine’s events in Champaign-Urbana. Boxcar Books and Vinyl in Hoopeston hosts a story time with crafts on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10:30 a.m., Treehouse holds a kids party on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 9 a.m., and UI Ice Arena offers a skate from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ChambanaMoms
- ➤ Champaign residents looking to clear clutter can use various avenues to sell unwanted items, including online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, VarageSale, and OfferUp + local consignment events such as One Week Boutique and stores like Karen’s Kloset. ChambanaMoms
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Forsyth's planning commission approved five ordinances to help bring Chick-fil-A to town. The proposal now goes to the village board on (Jan. 20) and work is expected to begin in the spring if approved. WAND
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Danville native Joe Tanner will be inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. He earned his degree at Illinois, flew four Shuttle missions, and now mentors students (amassing over 1,069 space hours) to support future space exploration. WICS
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Champaign County Community Coalition partnered with Champs Unit #4 and Urbana School District #116 to launch the Every Student. Every Day campaign to boost attendance and academic success. Local leaders (Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen and City Manager Joan Walls among them) expressed their support for the initiative. City of Champaign
- ➤ University faculty launched the CBTF (Computer-Based Testing Facility) to give students a secure, computerized exam environment that randomizes test questions from PrairieLearn and uses GenAI features to help instructors. The facility now handles up to 125,000 exam reservations and offers accommodations for students in Champaign-Urbana. The Daily Illini
- ➤ The U of I Board of Trustees approved a 2% tuition increase for incoming freshmen starting fall 2026; nonresident students will face hikes up to 14.5% while room and board at Champaign-Urbana will rise 5% to help manage rising costs. Officials said the measure follows years of frozen rates. WAND
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Always Underground Inc. closed an eastbound lane of Kirby Avenue between Duncan Road — Stratford Drive on Jan. 8, reducing traffic to one lane; it will reopen on Jan. 20 if weather permits. City of Champaign
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ City housing rehab programs reduce radon in qualifying homes during National Radon Action Month. Since April 2024, 15 homes have had radon systems installed through a Community Development Block Grant requirement to safely improve air quality. City of Champaign
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Illinois Gaming Board data showed that sports betting dropped by 15% between September 2024 and September 2025 after a tax on wagers was introduced; experts noted that the fee may drive bettors to unregulated sites — raising concerns over consumer protections. WAND
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Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles
8:45-10 p.m. — Orpheum Champaign — $31.95 — Experience the timeless melodies of Queen and The Beatles under candlelight in a magical setting.
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PineappleFest 2026
11 AM – 12 AM — Esquire Lounge — RSVP required — Celebrate PineappleFest with vendors, food, music, and drinks all day.
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Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Concert
7:30-10 p.m. — Krannert Center for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the eloquence of Berlioz, Beethoven, and Sibelius performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
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2026 Illinois Agricultural Summit
10 AM – 4 PM — I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center — $50 — Explore the premier agricultural event in East Central Illinois hosted by the Illinois Agribusiness Network.
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Mental Wellness Workshop
8 AM - 12 PM — Cityview Banquet & Meeting Center — CEUs available for a fee — Explore innovative ways to enhance mental wellness through music and art.
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Daddy Daughter Dance
6-8 p.m. — Events at Refinery — Tickets available — Enjoy a delightful evening of dancing, games, and a balloon drop while capturing memories in the photo booth with your special little one.
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Megan Wren and Friends Concert
9-11:30 p.m. — The Space — $10 cover — Enjoy an evening with the iconic Megan Wren performing alongside her friends in a family-friendly atmosphere.
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Reveal the authorAbout Good Day Champaign
Welcome to the Good Day Champaign, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Champaign, Illinois community. If you like the Good Day Champaign, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Champaign.
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