Good Day
Champaign
Friday, May 9th, 2025
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Champaign.
Good morning, Champaign. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 9th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On Wednesday, Urbana Park District broke ground at Weaver Park to expand the Kickapoo Rail Trail by adding a new parking lot and bike pavilion—features that will help riders prepare for trail access. The park district will begin moving dirt later this week and aims to complete the project by fall. WCIA
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Firefighters from multiple departments battled a fully engulfed two-story home fire on May 7 — residents and their pets had evacuated before crews from Engine 1151, Engine 1152, Tankers 1166 and 1167, and Command 1103 switched to a defensive strategy to manage the weakened structure— and no injuries were reported. WICS
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Champaign native retired Paralympian Nichole Millage, a Centennial High School alum, will deliver the keynote at Parkland College’s commencement for the 2025 graduates. She lost her lower left leg in a boating accident while at Parkland—she later won two gold and two silver medals at the Summer Paralympics. WAND
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Village Board in Savoy approved a redevelopment contract with developers through a 5-0 vote for a downtown plaza project on West Old Church Street and North Dunlap Avenue. Developer CEO Kyle Kirchhoefer said the contract—finalizing nearly two years of planning and community input—sets a timeline for demolition and future community events. WCIA
- ➤ UIPD took over primary patrol for Champustown in October 2022 and its call volume rose from 12,000 in 2021 to 21,000 in 2024 as officers began handling routine reports from theft to wellness checks. The department added Community Service Officers and launched the REACH program for mental health emergencies while reviewing training and enforcement practices amid concerns over racial disparities in arrests — efforts designed to strengthen campus safety. The Daily Illini
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Families in Champaign-Urbana can access child counseling services for issues like ADHD, anxiety, or depression through local providers and public health resources. Experts advise parents to start by consulting a pediatrician (to determine the right match) and checking insurance or sliding scale options for affordable care. ChambanaMoms
TRAVEL NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR Compression packing cubes are a travel game-changer — fit twice as much, stay organized, and avoid suitcase chaos. Perfect for any trip, they keep clothes tidy, save space, and make packing and unpacking a breeze. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Champaign.
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Touch-A-Truck Day
9 AM – 1 PM — Centennial Park — Free entry — Experience the thrill of climbing and honking real trucks and vehicles.
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2025 Springtime Showdown #2
5 PM - 5 PM — Rantoul Family Sports Complex — $30 Adult Weekend Pass — Compete for a chance to enter the USSSA Great Lakes National Championships with exciting fastpitch action.
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Illinois PTA SPOTLIGHT 2025
11 AM – 5 PM — Centennial High School — Registration required — Celebrate young artists' achievements with engaging workshops and an inspiring showcase of creativity.
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The Space CU x Morning Jay’s Brunch Pop Up
10 AM – 3 PM — The Space — RSVP required — Experience a creatively delicious scratch-made brunch during UIUC Graduation weekend.
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May Game Night: Theme TBA — CUDO Plays
6:30-9 p.m. — Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana — Free entry — Connect with fellow game lovers and enjoy an evening of fun games and camaraderie.
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Wiz Khalifa Concert
8-11 p.m. — The Canopy Club — $85/ealistmap — Get ready for a night of live music with Wiz Khalifa at the Canopy Club in Urbana.
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May Social at Research Park
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. — Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Free entry — Network over drinks and snacks with local professionals in a relaxed atmosphere.
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Beetlejuice Jr Musical
2:00 – 3:30 PM — Virginia Theatre — Cost TBA — Experience the whimsical chaos of Beetlejuice in this youth theatre production.
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Bentley's Trivia Night
6-8 p.m. — Bentley's Pub — Drink purchase required — Test your knowledge with trivia in the beer garden and compete for prizes!
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Hamilton Walker's Wine Dinner
May 28-29 — Hamilton Walker's — Special ticket pricing — Enjoy a curated 5-course meal with wines from Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Champaign.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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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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