Good Day
Champaign
Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
Good morning, Champaign. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 2nd of October.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Maize Mexican Grill will open a second location at 1305 S. Neil St. soon as owner Armando Sandoval announced Wednesday—this new restaurant will offer drive-through service and a menu similar to its former Green Street location, taking over the space once used by Epic Burger. ChambanaMoms
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ REO Speedwagon performed at Memorial Stadium on Saturday during the Illini-USC game where 60,700 fans cheered as the band shared the stage with the Marching Illini & recalled playing on the Quad and at the Red Lion, highlighting their deep Champaign roots. Band member Kevin Cronin said the performance revived memories of early local support that helped kickstart their career. WICS
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Today, a federal shutdown has put more than $20 million in funds on hold, with Congresswoman Budzinski saying a $10 million grant for Florida Avenue in Urbana is delayed—while Head Start funding in Champaign stays available. WICS
- ➤ Illinois Rep. Carol Ammons celebrated a $1.6 million local grant that will complete the final half-mile of the Florida Avenue Shared-Use Path — a project designed to improve campus accessibility between Champaign-Urbana and the University of Illinois campus. WAND
- ➤ At Tuesday night's special meeting, Champaign Township approved its annual budget but faced heated debate over last-minute staffing changes for the Strides shelter, which has guaranteed funding only through February 2026 — local board and community members pushed for better transparency. The next meeting is scheduled for October 14. WICS
- ➤ The Champaign City Plan Commission voted unanimously to deny a historical landmark designation for University Place Christian Church as the building is being demolished after its sale for apartment redevelopment—congregants now hold mass at the University YMCA. WAND
- ➤ The Public Works Department closed the Main Street Viaduct on October 1 for construction—pedestrians crossing between First Street and Chestnut Street/Main Street should use the University Avenue sidewalk. The project is scheduled to be completed in January. City of Champaign
- ➤ Champaign, Urbana, and Champaign County have approved Halloween trick-or-treat hours—6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.—for Friday, October 31. The guidelines note that if October 31 falls on a weekend, the hours will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. City of Champaign
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Tom Grassman Band Live at Pour Bros
8-11 p.m. — Pour Bros. Craft Taproom — Free entry — Enjoy a night of live music with the Tom Grassman Band during the Friday Night Live Music series.
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Run to Remember 5K
8 a.m. — Crystal Lake Park — Registration fee required — Honor memories and cherish today during this community-focused run.
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Comedy Open Mic Night
8-10 p.m. — The Space — Free entry — Showcase your comedic talent or enjoy laughs at this weekly open mic night in downtown Champaign.
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Chili Cook-off at Dandy Hound
6-8 p.m. — Dandy Hound — Ticket purchase required — Savor delicious chili samples while voting for your favorite recipe at this community cook-off.
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MasterChef All Stars Live
7-8:30 p.m. — Virginia Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience culinary magic with your favorite MasterChef stars and thrilling live competitions.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.
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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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