Good Day
Champaign
Friday, April 17th, 2026
Good morning, Champaign. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 17th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Parcadia, a new magical mini golf tavern from CU Adventures, will host a grand opening celebration on Thursday, Apr. 30 in Urbana. Guests will enjoy high-tech mini golf courses, themed bar drinks, and an immersive art installation + fantasy kingdom. WICS
- ➤ The City of Champaign seeks community input on its Homelessness Prevention Blueprint Snapshot to address housing instability. Residents can complete the survey online or at City Building until Friday, May 15. WAND
- ➤ Champaign and Urbana are ready to welcome thousands for the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend from April 23 to 25. Local officials have planned road closures and bus route adjustments — residents are encouraged to volunteer or cheer and help keep everything safe. City of Champaign
- ➤ A&A Concrete is patching pavement on Clayton Boulevard between Duncan Road and Irvine Road as part of the 2026 Concrete Patching project. The road closure, which began Wednesday, April 15, will continue through Saturday, April 18, while adjacent property access remains open. City of Champaign
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Lumpkin Family Foundation's Untold Stories initiative uncovers unheard voices by partnering with local groups and supporting projects like heritage trails and markers in central Illinois to build community inclusion + honor underrepresented histories. WAND
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ This week, METCAD 911 honors telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators' Week by highlighting workers like Brian Peddycoart, a 27-year veteran, and Brent Daugherty, who has 17 years of experience. The call dispatchers cover all 911 calls in Champaign County and show the key work done behind the scenes. WAND
- ➤ Champaign Police Lieutenant Kaitlin Fisher and METCAD System Administrator Brad Hardcastle were honored with the Outstanding Young Persons of Illinois Awards for their work in public safety and community service. Fisher leads Camp Fury, a program for young women in safety, while Hardcastle volunteers in public service roles in Hoopeston. City of Champaign
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Cancer Center at Illinois earned a Basic Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute on Thursday, marking the first such honor in nearly 40 years and the only one in Illinois. The designation will support expanded research and increased collaborations in the region. WAND
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Bristol Senior Residences nears completion as construction wraps up in about eight weeks and an open house in July will celebrate the new senior housing. Applications for seniors aged 62 or older are accepted until June 1 at the Housing Authority office (2008 N. Market Street) in Champaign. City of Champaign
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Rantoul Family Sports Complex (at exit 250 on I-57) will host soccer, baseball, and softball tournaments this weekend and is expected to draw between 30,000 and 40,000 visitors; if Rantoul hotels are full, teams and fans may find lodging in Champaign or Urbana. WAND
- ➤ Local parents can turn to a guide by FirstLine Urgent Care that lists youth sports in Champaign-Urbana, detailing rec leagues, travel teams, and camps for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, and swimming. The guide explains age ranges and seasons to help families find the right fit for their young athletes. ChambanaMoms
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The Table of Showbread Bible Study
6:30 AM – 9:00 PM — Come & See Event Center — Free registration — Delve into the significance of the Table of Showbread and its representation of God's provision.
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Lindy Hoppers Swing Dance
7-9 p.m. — Hamilton Walker's — Free entry — Enjoy a lively swing dance evening with music and no partner required.
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April Game Night: TREE Games by CUDO Plays
6:30-9 p.m. — Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana — Free entry — Unwind with fellow gamers and explore TREE-themed games or your favorites at CUDO Plays Game Night.
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PaCE Curriculum Training
8:30 AM - 12 PM — Parkland College — Free entry — A professional development session focused on the PaCE Curriculum for middle school educators.
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Introduction to Cross Stitch Workshop
6-8 p.m. — Plant Mode — Supplies included — Learn the fundamentals of cross stitch and create your own unique piece.
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Workshop: Navigating Lending Resources
1:30-3:30 p.m. — Champaign Public Library — Free entry — Refresh knowledge and gain insights on lending resources available for local lenders.
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City Mouth, Emily The Band & Eat My Jorts Concert
8-11:30 p.m. — The Space — $10 cover — Enjoy an all-ages night filled with iconic music from local favorites.
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Lindy Hoppers Swing Dance Night
7-9 p.m. — Hamilton Walker's — Free entry — Enjoy a lively evening of swing dancing with music provided by the Illini Swing Society.
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Open Mic Night
6-9 p.m. — The Space — Free entry — Experience local talents showcasing music, poetry, and delicious food and drinks in a vibrant atmosphere.
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Kiki's Delivery Service Screening
7-10 p.m. — Virginia Theatre — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a magical adventure as Kiki learns to embrace her powers in a charming seaside town.
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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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