“U. of Ill. beefing up police force after attacks,” Pantagraph, November 11
University of Illinois police are working extra hours and the university plans to hire more officers after an attack on a female student in a dorm and a series of assaults on men.
Crime is “definitely up” on and around the campus this fall, university police Chief Barbara O’Connor said Wednesday.
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“In recent weeks, police have made more than 25 apprehensions surrounding campus assaults and robberies,” she said.
“Champaign council begins work on long-term plan for city’s development,” News-Gazette, November 9
As city council members on Tuesday night reviewed a draft of the updated 20-year plan for the city, most realized that it is going to take a lot of cooperation with the private sector and other government agencies to make it happen.
City administrators have spent three years writing the comprehensive plan that will guide long-term city decisions regarding planning and development. City council members saw plans for redefined neighborhoods, in-fill development and growth areas on the fringe of the city.
“Despite high unemployment in C-U area, UI still a top college destination,” Daily Illini, November 10
Champaign-Urbana ranked fifth in the College Destinations Index, a ranking of the 75 top-ranked college destinations. The list was released by the American Institute for Economic Research.
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The rankings are decided by three different categories: academic environment, quality of life and professional opportunity.
“Champaign County wants clarification on Provena tax money,” News-Gazette, November 10
Champaign County Treasurer Dan Welch is asking a Champaign County judge to end the doubt that continues to swirl around millions of dollars in property tax payments made by Provena Covenant Medical Center to local governments.
As long as the Urbana hospital continues to challenge its tax-exempt status for certain years, local governments can’t feel free to spend the tax payments the hospital has made, he said.
“Quinn hopes for civil unions vote,” Pantagraph, November 10
Gov. Pat Quinn said Wednesday it would be good for Illinois’ economy if lawmakers, when they return to work next week in Springfield, passed legislation allowing gay couples to form civil unions.