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Gorgeous Fall day at the Mabry garden at Lake of the Woods park in Mahomet, IL. #nature #photography #champaigncounty #Mahomet #Fall #trees
November 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
schmellowyn.bsky.social
This!! #champaign #urbana #cu #champaigncounty
April 16, 2025 at 3:13 PM
citizenptnewsil.bsky.social
A former organic farmer reveals how he transformed degraded land into fertile soil, challenging the very foundations of Illinois agriculture and advocating for sustainable practices.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgriculture
Former Farmer Advocates Soil Restoration in Newcomb Township
Speaker highlights benefits of soil restoration and challenges of commercial farming practices.
citizenportal.ai
April 14, 2025 at 1:57 AM
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Frustration mounts in Champaign County as the Environment and Land Use Committee extends the carbon sequestration moratorium for six months, demanding swift action from a lagging task force.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #ChampaignCountyEnvironment #CitizenPortal #ClimateAction
Committee extends carbon sequestration moratorium for six months after task-force delay concerns
The committee voted to extend a temporary safety moratorium on carbon sequestration activity for six months amid frustration about delays from the task force drafting an ordinance; an attempt to shorten the extension to 90 days failed for lack of a second.
citizenportal.ai
May 8, 2026 at 7:55 AM
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Champaign County's budget discussions reveal a surprising financial surplus, challenging the administration's claims of a looming deficit and raising urgent questions about executive pay transparency.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #BudgetManagement
County Executive Pay Increase Sparks Transparency Concerns Amid Budget Deficit Claims
Officials call for early decision on county executive's pay to ensure democratic transparency.
citizenportal.ai
September 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
spiritstraveler.bsky.social
A huge shoutout to local fav Hardy’s Reindeer ranch! They were featured this morning on GMA in their “50 States in 50 Days.”
www.goodmorningamerica.com/video/127746...

@goodmorningamerica
#50statesin50days
#hardysreindeerranch
#champaigncounty
#rantoul #centralillinois
#holidays #familyfun
'50 States in 50 Weeks' visits Illinois reindeer farm
"GMA" visits Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch as part of the celebration of Illinois during our tour around the country.
www.goodmorningamerica.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
citizenptnewsil.bsky.social
Champaign County is one step closer to harnessing solar power with a proposed 4.99 MW community solar farm that promises to transform 27.68 acres of land!

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #RenewableEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityInitiatives #CitizenPortal
Champaign County panel forwards proposed 4.99 MW community solar farm and decommissioning plan to full board
The Environment & Land Use Committee voted to forward a special-use rezoning for a 4.99 MW, 27.68-acre community solar farm and its accompanying decommissioning/site reclamation plan to the full Champaign County board for final approval.
citizenportal.ai
January 10, 2026 at 12:03 AM
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Champaign County is at a crossroads as a task force debates strict energy requirements for large data centers, aiming to balance growth with community sustainability.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #RenewableEnergy #ChampaignCountyDataCenters #EnergyStorage
Champaign County task force debates draft data center ordinance: renewables, storage, enforceability and decommissioning
Task force members and residents debated a draft ordinance that would require renewable energy and storage from large data centers, weighed on-site versus off-site 'deliverable' renewables, discussed a proposed ban on small modular reactors, and raised enforceability limits because the county is not home rule.
citizenportal.ai
June 27, 2026 at 8:52 AM
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The Champaign County Board made significant moves on May 21, from appointing a new District 7 representative to awarding a solar contract and extending a moratorium on carbon sequestration—what does it all mean for the community?

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal
Votes at a glance: appointments, contracts, moratorium extension and settlement subawards
The Champaign County Board approved several measures on May 21 including the appointment of William Shell to District 7, award of a solar contract, a six-month moratorium extension on carbon sequestration zoning, FOP court-security agreement, budget transfers and opioid-subaward reallocations; one procurement exception resolution failed.
citizenportal.ai
May 24, 2026 at 8:59 AM
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A $250,000 parking deck coating is peeling just months after installation, sparking concerns over safety and potential litigation—what went wrong?

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #ChampaignCountyParking #InfrastructureIssues
Committee flags $250,000 Bennett parking-deck coating failure, involves state's attorney
Champaign County facilities staff told the committee the $250,000 coating on the Bennett upper-deck parking area is peeling less than two years after installation; staff says the work appears defective, the state's attorney's office is involved and litigation is being considered.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2026 at 3:28 PM
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Residents are demanding strict limits on data center sizes and enforceable decommissioning plans to protect precious farmland from irreversible damage.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #UrbanDevelopment #CitizenPortal #ChampaignCountyFarmland
Residents urge firm decommissioning rules and caps on footprint to protect Champaign County farmland
Multiple public speakers told the task force that the draft ordinance lacks maximum lot-size limits and meaningful decommissioning financial assurances; speakers urged bonding, escrow or other guarantees so abandoned mega‑campuses cannot permanently consume prime farmland.
citizenportal.ai
September 2, 2026 at 2:24 AM
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A proposed ordinance could require a 1,000-foot buffer between big data centers and residential buildings, but residents are demanding more stringent noise studies to protect their community.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CommunityInput #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EnvironmentalNoise
Task force proposes 1,000-foot minimum separation; residents press for independent noise studies and larger setbacks
Draft requires at least 1,000 feet between big data center structures and the nearest non-participating principal building; public speakers called the setback insufficient, urged low-frequency noise modeling, ongoing monitoring and enforceable limits.
citizenportal.ai
September 2, 2026 at 2:22 AM
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Residents are demanding tougher regulations on data centers, insisting on independent audits and decommissioning funds to prevent costly litigation and environmental harm.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #RegulatoryEnforcement #LitigationRisk #CommunityAwareness
Speakers urge stronger enforcement, independent audits and decommissioning funds; warn of litigation risk
During five‑minute public comments, dozens of residents, students and advocacy groups called for clear enforcement measures (fines, audits, permit revocation), mandatory independent studies, and bonding for decommissioning. Several warned that weak protections invite future lawsuits and lasting harm.
citizenportal.ai
September 2, 2026 at 2:20 AM
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Champaign County is considering tough new rules for backup generators, but residents are raising concerns about vague definitions and potential reliance on fossil fuels.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalRegulations #PublicSafety #CommunityInput
Residents press for strict limits on backup generators and clearer operational rules
Draft requires backup generators to meet EPA Tier 4 standards, limits testing to weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and restricts roof-mounted generators; public commenters asked the task force to define "bona fide outages," cap run-times and clarify enforcement to avoid routine generator reliance.
citizenportal.ai
September 2, 2026 at 2:23 AM
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Champaign County is considering new zoning regulations for "big data centers," but residents are raising concerns about potential impacts and lack of limits on size.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #ZoningRegulations #PublicInput #ChampaignCountyDataCenters
Task force outlines where data centers would be allowed and seeks public input on special-use permits
Planning and zoning director John Hall told the Champaign County Data Center Activities Task Force the draft ordinance would allow "big data centers" by county-board special-use permit in certain agricultural and light-industrial districts; residents pressed for clearer limits and independent studies.
citizenportal.ai
September 2, 2026 at 2:17 AM
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Champaign County's draft ban on evaporative cooling for data centers raises major concerns about hidden water use—could indirect withdrawals be the real threat to our resources?

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #WaterConservation #DataCenterEfficiency #CitizenPortal #ChampaignCountyWaterUse
Draft would ban evaporative cooling and require closed‑loop systems; residents want stricter water limits and independent hydrological studies
The draft forbids evaporative and open‑tower cooling and requires closed‑loop systems with a water‑use effectiveness cap of 0.2 liters per kWh; public commenters urged mandatory pre‑construction hydrological studies, reporting of indirect (embedded) water use and independent audits to protect the Mahomet Aquifer.
citizenportal.ai
September 2, 2026 at 2:18 AM
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Residents are demanding stronger protections for the electrical grid as a new draft ordinance proposes only 15 minutes of energy storage for data centers, which many believe is far from enough.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #ChampaignCountyEnergy #RenewableEnergy
Task force sets 50% renewables / 15‑minute storage threshold; residents call for stronger grid protections and higher clean‑energy requirements
Draft requires a combination of on‑site and off‑site renewables or on‑site storage equal to at least 50% of peak demand for a minimum of 15 minutes. Residents said 15 minutes is inadequate, urged higher renewables thresholds, local sourcing and binding obligations to cover grid upgrade costs and curtail during emergencies.
citizenportal.ai
September 2, 2026 at 2:19 AM
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Champaign County residents are sounding the alarm over proposed AI data centers, citing severe risks to privacy, water, and air quality—will the board heed their warnings?

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #DataCenterRegulation #CitizenPortal #ChampaignCountyPrivacy #PublicSafety
Residents urge strict limits or ban on hyperscale AI data centers, cite water, noise and surveillance risks
Multiple public commenters told the Champaign County Board they oppose hyperscale AI data centers and associated surveillance infrastructure, urging strong ordinances, financial assurances and use of home‑rule tools rather than defaulting to weaker restrictions when the moratorium lifts.
citizenportal.ai
August 12, 2026 at 9:03 AM
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Champaign County advocates are pushing for a $1 million investment to address a critical shortage of skilled nursing beds, aiming to bring a new facility to life for our aging population!

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #CommunityInvestment
Advocates for Aging Care ask Champaign County for $1 million to reopen skilled nursing capacity
Members of Advocates for Aging Care told the Champaign County Board the county is roughly 300 beds short of demand and asked the board to commit $1,000,000 toward start‑up and capital costs for a proposed 120‑bed skilled nursing facility backed by a private $26,000,000 developer and $1,000,000 in state capital funds.
citizenportal.ai
August 12, 2026 at 9:02 AM
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The clock is ticking on the aquifer ordinance in Champaign County, with hopes for a decision by October before the moratorium ends!

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #WaterConservation #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #EnvironmentalPolicy #ChampaignCountyAquifer
Chair says aquifer ordinance is progressing; moratorium runs through November
Chair reported progress on an aquifer-related ordinance moving through the ZBA and said the committee hopes the ordinance can reach the full county board by October; the moratorium referenced in the discussion remains in effect through the end of November and is not expected to be extended.
citizenportal.ai
August 8, 2026 at 3:36 PM
citizenptnewsil.bsky.social
Champaign County has greenlit a groundbreaking 5-megawatt community solar project, paving the way for sustainable energy and local economic growth!

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #ChampaignCountyEnvironment #SustainableCommunities #CitizenPortal #RenewableEnergy #LandUsePolicy
Committee approves decommissioning plan and road use agreement for 5-MW community solar project
The committee approved a decommissioning and site reclamation plan and a township road-use arrangement for a previously authorized 5-megawatt community solar farm (Champaign Solar 1 LLC). Staff said the DSRP costs are comparable to similar projects and township approval was obtained.
citizenportal.ai
August 8, 2026 at 3:35 PM
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Champaign County's FY24 audit received a clean opinion, but some surprising findings could impact future financial practices.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #FinancialTransparency #AuditCompliance #ChampaignCountyAudit
Auditors report FY24 financial statements clean; governance letter lists control and timing findings
CliftonLarsonAllen presented Champaign County's FY24 audit: the independent auditors gave an unmodified (clean) opinion on financial statements and on major federal-program compliance; the governance letter included four findings, including revenue-reconciliation issues and audit-timing delays.
citizenportal.ai
July 27, 2026 at 4:05 AM
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Residents are demanding independent oversight of the November 2026 election in Champaign County after alarming federal indictments involving election officials threaten public trust.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #ElectionIntegrity #PublicTrust
Residents urge state, federal oversight of Champaign County election administration
Multiple public commenters urged the Champaign County Board to request oversight of the November 2026 election from the Illinois State Board of Elections and federal authorities, citing recent federal indictments involving county election officials and reporting technical problems with past elections.
citizenportal.ai
July 27, 2026 at 4:03 AM
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Volo's project is gaining momentum with completed appraisals, nearly finalized easements, and construction accelerating—despite a court hearing looming on the horizon.

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #ChampaignCountyHousing #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #PublicSafety
Volo project update: appraisals and most easements near complete, construction accelerating
Volo reported that appraisals are complete, most easements have been executed or are near executed, procurement is on track and the new contractor has opened work at multiple fronts; a court hearing related to easements is scheduled for Aug. 19.
citizenportal.ai
July 27, 2026 at 4:06 AM
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Champaign County Board just approved crucial budget amendments, including $75,000 for election judges and funding for homeless services—find out how these decisions will impact the community!

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#ChampaignCounty #IL #ElectionJudges #OpioidSettlement #CitizenPortal
Board approves several budget amendments, appointments and opioid settlement allocations
On July 23 the board approved a $75,000 transfer to the county clerk for election judges, a $70,000 appropriation for homeless services, a $38,067.53 budget amendment for new budget software, and opioid settlement funds for drug court; multiple appointments and intergovernmental agreements were also adopted.
citizenportal.ai
July 27, 2026 at 4:05 AM