Good morning, Champaign.

On Saturday, local kids experienced free airplane rides from volunteer pilots of the Experimental Aircraft Association — a Young Eagles program that gives children aged 8 to 17 a chance to explore aviation careers.

An 86-year-old woman who was injured when a vehicle hit the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon died at Carle Foundation Hospital on May 10—82-year-old Sharon Harpster also died while driver Curtis Meadows pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated DUI causing death and reckless homicide with a motor vehicle.

Eleven lower-income adults graduated from UI's Odyssey Project—where they meet twice a week for classes in history, art, and literature—and plan to take more courses at local colleges, while program advisor Kate Spies said the safe, small-group setting helped them build skills for the future.

The City of Champaign is accepting bids for the Public Works Department's 2025 Sewer Lining Project to update the city's sewer system.

Contractors can request bid documents from the city's office at 102 N. Neil St.

On May 7, City staff joined an SBDC webinar to honor National Small Business Week + presented key details on the Champaign Diversity Advancement Program.

The presentation explained the program registration process plus the City’s compliance requirements under the Equal Opportunity Purchasing Ordinance.

Touch-A-Truck Day

9 AM – 1 PM — Centennial Park — Free entry — Experience the thrill of climbing and honking real trucks and vehicles.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Beetlejuice Jr Musical

2:00 – 3:30 PM — Virginia Theatre — Cost TBA — Experience the whimsical chaos of Beetlejuice in this youth theatre production.

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!

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.