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The Urbana City Council approved the appointment of Dr. Julie Laut for the Ward 2 city council vacancy at a special meeting Monday night. Dr. Laut will finish out the term of former Council Member Eric Jakobsson ending May 3, 2021.
""I am honored to join the city council and do what I can to support Urbana's citizens at such a critical time," Newly appointed Alderman Dr. Laut said.
A resident of Ward 2 for the past eight years, Dr. Laut holds a PhD in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MA in History from Miami University, and a BA in History/Secondary Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has extensive experience in community outreach, development, and volunteer initiatives.
Pictured here are: Julie Laut, her children Celia Barbieri (holding Dexter) and Julian Barbieri, and husband Marc Holtorf on their front porch earlier this spring.
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Are you hungry? Is your family hungry? Do you need help with your rent or mortgage? Do you need your utilities turned on or help with paying for them? Do you need childcare? Are you jobless or underemployed? Do you need help in home learning supplies? Do you need emotional support? If you answered yes to any one these questions, The City of Urbana has a list of community resources that may help you and yours. Go here.
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The City of Urbana building has limited-access during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for most people that means the building is closed for day-to-day use. However, whether you need a building permit, a parking space rental, or a rental registration, this all can be done from the convenience of your own device in the comfort and safety of your own home. Go here to see more: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/srvsxorder
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The Urbana Police Department Fraternal Order of Police Number 70 is once again sponsoring the Backpack School Drive that will help the Urbana School District #116 with much needed supplies.
This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic at full-force, the need for supplies for Urbana students is even greater. Since the the City of Urbana building is closed to the public, the FOP #70 wants you to know that you can still donate in the form of Visa gift cards, or gift cards from Walmart or Meijer.
Please mail these gift cards to:
The Urbana Police Department FOP #70
400 S. Vine Street Urbana, IL 61801
Thank you for your support of Urbana students!
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Have you taken the Census? If not, people will be coming by to see you. Non-Response Follow Up (NRFU) is beginning this week and will continue until a complete count is achieved.
NRFU is the Census Bureau term for their employees going door-to-door where people have not filled out their Census form yet. Census takers will wear masks and follow local public health guidelines when they visit your home. All census takers complete a virtual COVID-19 training on social distancing and other health and safety protocols before beginning their work in neighborhoods. To see more on what to expect from the NRFU, go here.
Urbana needs an accurate count to help with programs, infrastructure, schools, hospitals, social services, and the list goes on. You pay taxes, and it only makes sense that your tax dollars be reallocated back here to Urbana. Go here to take the Census.
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COVID-19 testing is open to all from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (seven days a week while daily supplies last) at Market Place Shopping Center, located at 2000 N. Neil Street, Champaign. Get tested! Also, go here to see helpful information from The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.
*Image provided by the CDC
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Blood supplies are critically low! Blood donation is crucial at this time and your help is truly needed. Go to Central Illinois Community Blood Center here to start the process.
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We may be in the dog days of summer, but the Eastern Illinois Foodbank is working as hard as ever. Per Feeding America projections, due to the pandemic, the estimated increase in child food insecurity in eastern Illinois is 60%, and 1 in 4 children in our area are struggling with hunger. That means out of 20 kids five will go to bed hungry tonight! Visit eifoodbank.org/action/donate/covid-19.html to help our neighbors in need - we are all in this together!
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Illinois workNet can help with your next career! Explore virtual job fairs, resources, available services, and register to receive alerts to the latest info on finding a job. Plus, find community college classes, access free Coursera online training, as well as work support services to develop skills for high demand roles. Go here.
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The Pritzker Administration, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), has launched a new initiative to help Illinois families access and afford home energy assistance and other essential services during COVID-19. You may be eligible to receive assistance for food, water, utilities, financial management, rental assistance, temporary shelter, employment training, and employment placement. Go here for more details.
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CORN DRIVE-THRU. Lincoln Square Mall. 2 p.m. to 7p.m.
*As long as supplies last
REMEMBER THE SWEET TIMES. Virtual, Facebook Live. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Continue to follow us here on Facebook as we reveal more sweet surprises! You can also get updates by following @urbanasweetcorn on Instagram, or by following our beloved mascot Corny at @realcornyurbana!
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The Urbana Free Library has an exciting program for everyone. Starting August 3, StoryWalk ® art kits are available to pick up in the Library or at a curbside pickup appointment. Kits include basic art supplies to get your story started and will be available while supplies last. Help us create a community StoryWalk®! In a StoryWalk®, the pages of a story are displayed individually along a walking path so people can read the story while they walk, encouraging exercise and reading. Normally this involves cutting out the pages of a picture book and mounting them on signs. For this StoryWalk®, we need YOUR help to create the stories that will be posted throughout Urbana parks! Go here for complete details.
Supported in part by a City of Urbana Arts Grant and created in partnership with the Urbana Park District.
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Restore Illinois Phase 4 has us eating both al fresco and inside of our favorite Urbana restaurants and shopping at our local Urbana retailers via sidewalk sales. If your Urbana business would like to participate, the City of Urbana Economic Development Division can help. To see a complete list of those businesses that have pledged to be COVID-19 SAFE, go here. Have fun, but remember: Wear your mask, keep six feet away from others, don't touch your face, and wash your hands.
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The City of Urbana, Grants Management Division has a grant that can provide subsistence payments for one to three months emergency payments on behalf of individuals or families. A grant is made available to provide funding for direct rental, mortgage, and utility assistance to those who have lost their job, been furloughed, or had their hours reduced. Click on this form to start the process.
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Happy National Farmer's Market Week! Here are some of our Urbana's Market at the Square super heroes! Don your mask and come safely shop for healthy food at the best farmer's market around every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon.
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The City of Urbana and the Urbana Police Department adopted the Ten Shared Principles regarding the relationship between law enforcement and the community they serve. To read more about this, go here.
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The City of Urbana resource page: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/COVID-19 Follow this link for all City services, press releases, notices, ordinances, quick links to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Champaign County Safe, business resources, FAQS, video links, and how to get much needed help, guidance, and resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The City of Urbana business resource page: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/COVID-19/business-resources Follow this link for business resources that can help you get valuable information, grant applications to local, state, and federal programs, and much more.
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Congratulations New Hires, Rehires, Transfers & Promotions
Community Development
Welcome: Anthony Petrotte, Market Aide; Sukiya Reid, Market Aide; Andrew Waner, Market Aide; Madeline Molina, Public Arts Intern; Celia Barbieri, Public Arts Intern; Maxwell Pociask, Public Arts Intern
Congratulations: Katherine Trotter, Planner I; Kevin Garcia, Principal Planner
Human Resources & Finance
Congratulations: Femi Fletcher, Human Resources Generalist; Tamra Corbin, Administrative Assistant II
Executive
Welcome: Brianna Gaspar, Camera Operator; Andrew Waner, Camera Operator
Fire
Welcome: Timothy Correll, Fire Fighter; Danial Meyer, Fire Fighter; Dave Wisher, Fire Prevention Officer
Congratulations: Michael Wallace, Fire Division Chief; Clinton Weidert, Fire Division Chief; Fred Westhoff, Captain; Greg Ritchie, Lieutenant; Ryan McCarty, Captain; Tal Prendergast, Lieutenant; Lee Buxton, Captain; Matt Frazier, Lieutenant
Police
Welcome: Justin Merritt, Police Officer; Erin Kristovich, Expungement Clerk; Chloe Buttry, Police Officer; Lisa Curtiss, Police Services Representative; Xavier Brito, Police Officer
Public Works
Welcome: Phillip Lake, Maintenance Worker; Cameron Taylor, Maintenance Worker; Kenneth Bragg, Maintenance Worker; Steven Jones, Maintenance Worker; James Smith, Seasonal Forestry; Michael Lawrence, Electrician; Wescot Washburn, Seasonal Forestry; Jacon Heinricher, Seasonal Forestry; Evan Wilson, Seasonal Forestry
Congratulations: Benjamin Gardner, Electrical Supervisor; Benjamin Holzhausen, Operations Supervisor; David Osterbur, Traffic Signal Technician; Shelby Mammano, Administrative Assistant II; Kevin Morris, Maintenance Worker; Cameron Welch, Equipment Operator; Denny Shadix, LRC Aide;
City Clerk
Welcome: Phyllis Clark, City Clerk
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