Good Day
Champaign
Friday, July 4th, 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 4th of July.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Bob Monti, founder of Papa Del's Pizza, died on Saturday at 79. He opened the restaurant on Wright St. in 1970 and built a beloved community gathering place for students and local residents—his daughter now manages the business. The Daily Illini
- ➤ Today, the Public Works Forestry Section unveiled a wood-carved display at the northeast corner of Walnut & Chestnut in Downtown Champaign to show the city’s patriotic spirit; visitors are encouraged to take photos of the backdrop. City of Champaign
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ On Wednesday evening, a vehicle crashed into a detention pond on the 3000 block of North Prospect Avenue in Champaign after a mechanical failure, police said as the Cornbelt Fire Protection District’s Dive Team helped remove the submerged vehicle and officers directed traffic until after 10 p.m. with no injuries reported. WCIA
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois Department of Transportation is urging drivers to watch for mowing equipment and workers near roadways as safety and maintenance mowing take place to protect pollinator habitats—its heaviest mowing will continue until August 15 following Monarch Project guidelines. WICS
- ➤ Champaign County employees may strike as soon as Tuesday if contract talks fail after over 90% of union members backed their strike filing on June 30 — county officials said they will hold more mediation sessions next week to try to fix the dispute. WCIA
- ➤ Mayor Feinen hosted Jeremy Schultz — a Public Works official — on his podcast today to introduce the new Brightly Citizen Portal, which replaces SeeClickFix and lets residents quickly report potholes, downed trees, and traffic signal issues. City of Champaign
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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Awakening Events - Christian Music Concert
6-9 p.m. — Virginia Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience an uplifting evening of Christian music with various artists.
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Moo-vie Nights at Prairie Farm
8-11 p.m. — Prairie Farm — Family-friendly event — Experience fun movies featuring adorable farm animals in a summer setting.
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Lindy Hoppers at Hamilton Walkers - July Edition
7-9 p.m. — Hamilton Walker's — Free entry — Dance the night away with swing music at this community-focused event.
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Ag Tech Innovation Showcase 2025
8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Free entry — Connect with farmers and innovators at this exciting showcase of ag tech solutions.
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Bollywood Party - Bonalu Celebration
9 PM-2 AM — The Axe Bar — $20 cover at the door — Dance and celebrate the vibrant Bonalu festival with the biggest Bollywood party in Central IL.
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CUDO Plays Game Night
6:30-9:00 p.m. — Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana — Free entry — Unwind with fellow gamers and enjoy a night of friendly competition and socializing.
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Free Pool Party at Crystal Lake Park
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center — Free entry — Enjoy a fun-filled evening at a community pool party with activities for swimmers and non-swimmers alike.
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Summer Splash
Join us for an exciting and family-friendly event at Lake of the Woods, brought to you by the Forest Preserves in partnership with the Upper Sangamon River Conservancy. Summer Splash features a variety of activities including fishing, canoeing, kayaking, pedal boats, educational exhibits, live fish with Illinois Department of Natural Resources, live music, and more!
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Beautiful - The Carole King Musical
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Virginia Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the life and music of Carole King in a vibrant musical celebration.
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Flower Arranging Workshop
6:30-9 p.m. — Graceful Acres Flower Farm — Cost information not provided — Create stunning floral displays while connecting with other women in the community.
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Maximize Space and Stay Organized with Compression Packing Cubes
Don’t overlook compression packing cubes for your next trip — they’re a simple but transformative travel essential. Designed to compress clothing and maximize space, these cubes help you fit twice as much into your suitcase without the bulk.
Beyond just saving space, compression packing cubes keep your luggage neat and organized. Group your outfits by day or category, separate clean and dirty clothes, or designate cubes for different family members when traveling together. No more rummaging through your suitcase — everything stays in its place, easily accessible when you need it.
Lightweight and durable, these cubes are ideal for carry-ons and checked bags alike. They also help prevent overpacking by limiting how much you can fit in each cube. Once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever traveled without them.
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Champaign.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.
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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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