Good morning, Champaign.

On October 18, Janel Gomez and Julio Velasco represented the Department at the Annual Disability Resource Expo in Champaign County, where staff shared crucial resources and inclusive giveaway items to promote access for people with disabilities.

The event brought together several organizations to support community inclusion and enhance access to vital services.

On Tuesday, October 21, over 100 leaders, advocates, and community members gathered in Champaign for the inaugural Illinois Together Against Hate Conference—an event co-sponsored by the City of Champaign, the City of Urbana, and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Speakers, panels and workshops addressed topics like equity, inclusion and the rise of violent extremism to promote a safe environment for all.

A and A Concrete LLC will begin an emergency pavement patching project on Meijer Drive just west of Prospect Avenue at 6:30 a.m. on October 27 and will close the road until 3 p.m. on October 29—this temporary closure is for urgent repair work.

Local hockey fans can catch University of Illinois men’s and women’s club games at the UI Ice Arena this season—tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for kids—while teams in Bloomington, Springfield, and Peoria host minor league and junior games with family-friendly promotions through April.

Flannel Fest

11 AM – 6 PM — West Side Park — Free entry — Rock your flannel and enjoy lumberjack shows, contests, and nonstop entertainment.

Open Playtest Focused on Marketability

6:30-9 p.m. — Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana — Free entry — Playtest your game and participate in discussions focused on enhancing marketability and feedback.

Public Lecture on Boredom: Insights from Blaise Pascal

7-8:30 p.m. — Champaign Public Library — Free entry — Explore thoughts on boredom inspired by Blaise Pascal in an engaging lecture with a Q&A session.

National Cat Day Fundraiser Raffle

9:30-10 p.m. — The Scratching Post CU — $5 each or 5 for $20 — Win over $160 worth of cat goodies while supporting local rescues.

Comedy Open Mic Night

8-10 p.m. — The Space — Free entry — Unleash your inner comedian at a lively open mic night every Thursday.

Fighting Illini Hockey Showdown

7-11 p.m. — UI Ice Arena — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate Halloween while cheering for the Fighting Illini in a thrilling hockey match against Rutgers.

COCO Screening

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Virginia Theatre — Rated PG — Experience the heartwarming story of Miguel and his passion for music despite family traditions.

27th Annual Rattlesnake Master Run for the Prairie

9:00 – 11:30 AM — Meadowbrook Park — Registration fees apply — Run or walk to support conservation efforts at Grand Prairie Friends.

CUDO Plays Game Night

6:30-9:00 p.m. — Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana — Free entry — Engage with fellow gamers and explore games with compelling themes.

Public Lecture on AI, Writing, and Integrity

7-8:30 p.m. — Champaign Public Library — Free entry — Explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, writing, and ethical integrity in this engaging lecture.