The Champaign City Council met on Tuesday to discuss an update on Experience Champaign-Urbana and a blueprint to reduce community gun violence.
The Community Safety and Justice Division leads the implementation of the city’s Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint, which was approved in February 2022. The division aims to address the causes of gun violence and promote community safety. In the meeting, the CSJ Division sought direction from the council on continued implementation and funding of the Blueprint.
The Blueprint aims to become a better wraparound support service. Partners require more training and guidance from the city on sustainability, fiscal management and community resource development.
“The Blueprint has positioned the city as a state-level model for diversity, equity and inclusion through effective gun violence reduction policy in midsized cities,” said Jorge Elvir, CSJ community relations manager.
The CSJ Division discussed the significant progress made through the Blueprint, including the decrease in homicides and shooting incidents since 2021.
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The meeting also included an annual update on ECU, which did not include any amendments or agreements to be made, only a request for continued support.
ECU is a nonprofit organization and local visitor’s center established in 1982, initially known as the Champaign County Convention and Visitors Bureau and later known as Visit Champaign County.
“Tourism is a key driver of the state’s economy, generating $170 million in annual spending and supporting more than 5,000 jobs,” said Jayne DeLuce, president and CEO of ECU.
The impact of tourism in Champaign is measured through overnight stays at local hotels. Tourism has an impact on the broader community as well. Champaign, Douglas, Moultrie, Piatt and Ford counties all benefit from ECU.
Highlights from ECU’s work in 2024 include the University of Illinois Library iPRES International, Sunshine Motorcoach Tours, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Illinois Association of Public Procurement Officials and the Illinois Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth Association.
The rest of the meeting concluded with public comment.
