Good morning, Champaign.

Community leaders in Champaign, Urbana and Savoy are preparing to welcome thousands of runners and fans for the Illinois Race Weekend on April 24-26.

Local officials have set planned road closures and bus route changes—more details will be shared soon—so residents can plan accordingly.

The Urbana City Council approved Hotel Royer’s liquor license, clearing the way for its grand opening this Wednesday.

The historic hotel, built in 1923 with an extension added in 1980, has 131 rooms, a restaurant, bar, pool and two banquet halls — features that will be available when it opens.

Police arrested two Grayville men linked to burglaries at Casey’s General Stores in Philo and Thomasboro — investigators recovered over $8,000 while one suspect resisted arrest and caused minor injuries to a deputy.

Farmers in Champaign are set to plant 95.3 million acres of corn and 83.5 million acres of soybeans this season as a USDA report shows a shift from last year’s mix.

Bailey Conrady from the Champaign County Farm Bureau said many farmers may change their usual 50/50 split—trade worries and market prices are driving the change.

State lawmakers and advocates said Illinois must provide $23.5 million for mental health services on college campuses—current allocations of $9 million in 2023 and $13 million last year fell short of the promised support from the 2019 Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act.

They noted that one in three young adults has faced mental health challenges and that lawmakers will address the gap in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal.

Champaign County's Middle Fork River Forest Preserve near Penfield has added a fully accessible dark trails system for visitors to walk and stargaze.

The park will host a grand-opening ceremony for the trails on April 26—officials said the nearly $600,000 project was partly funded by a $294,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The Illinois Senate passed a bill that would stop police from searching vehicles just because they smell marijuana — a move to clear up conflicting court rules on probable cause — and a 33-20 vote sends the measure to the House for further debate.

Champaign’s Sen. Chapin Rose warns that the change may make it harder to conduct sobriety tests.

Tour and Free Day Office Experience

9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. — HQ — Free entry — Explore a vibrant workspace while enjoying a complimentary day office experience with free coffee and WiFi.

Stay Sane @ The Space

7 PM - 1 AM — The Space — Check for ticket prices — Enjoy a night of reggae vibes in Champaign.

Country Music Trivia Night

7-9 p.m. — The Venue CU — Free entry — Test your Country Music knowledge with friends at a fun trivia competition.

Jesus in the Midst of the Golden Lampstand

11 PM – 2 AM — 1304 Anthony Dr, Champaign, IL — Free entry — Experience a dynamic exploration of Jesus in the Old Testament through engaging contemporary media.

6th Annual Easter Brunch Buffet

11 AM – 4 PM — Neil St. Blues — $40 per person — Celebrate Easter Sunday with a delicious all-you-can-eat brunch featuring Southern flavors and great vibes.

April Game Night: Theme TBA

6:30-9:00 p.m. — Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana — Free entry — Unwind with fellow gamers while enjoying a casual game night atmosphere.

Two Tournament Tuesday – Galaga & Darts

7-11 p.m. — Pour Bros. Craft Taproom — Register for tournament play and enjoy drink specials while competing in Galaga and Darts.

2025 Roger Ebert’s Film Festival

6 PM – 11 PM — Virginia Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the legacy of Roger Ebert with films and discussions at this historic venue.

SAFe® 5.1 POPM Certification Training

9 AM - 1 AM — City of Champaign — Early Bird: $1199 | Regular: $1899 — Gain your SAFe® PO/PM certification through interactive sessions and real-world applications.

Project Management Techniques Certification

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — HQ — Course completion certificate — Gain essential project management skills through an interactive workshop led by experienced trainers.