The Work Ahead In Champaign

May 12th, 2026

I hope you are doing well and enjoying the fresh Spring weather. I just wanted to take a couple minutes of your time to share a few of the things I’ve been working on in and for Champaign. 

A Moment to Reflect

During Holy Week, I had the opportunity to travel with my husband, Chuck, as part of a delegation with the Illinois Municipal League to Rome, where we met with His Holiness Pope Leo. Pope Leo spoke with mayors about service to our communities and the responsibility to care for everyone within them. It was a truly humbling experience, and one I will always carry with me, especially as I continue to attempt to embody his words here in Champaign.

Supporting Our Wider Community

This past month I was also in Washington DC lobbying with and on behalf of our Champaign County Community with Champaign County First. Over the years this lobbying effort has brought dollars home for projects such as mapping the Mahomet Aquifer and rebuilding arterial roads.Together private and governmental partners worked with the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce to advocate for increased rail service, workforce development dollars and more.

Both trips were paid for from my own personal funds.

Doing the Hard Work 

Some of the most important work we do takes time.

After years of effort, the City Council recently approved a settlement that will lead to the demolition of the Champaign Park Apartments. This process has been about protecting residents, addressing incredibly unsafe conditions, and working through complex legal challenges.

I’m grateful to our city staff who stayed with this issue and helped get us to this point. This is about safety, accountability, and making sure we are setting the stage for something better moving forward.

There is a lot happening in Champaign; infrastructure, economic development, and neighborhood investment. As always what matters most to me is how we do this work. I remain committed to always listening to those affected by the decisions we make and keeping a people-centered approach to government as articulated by Pope Leo.

Thank you for staying engaged and continuing to be part of what makes Champaign such a strong community.

All the best,

Deb Feinen

Mayor, City of Champaign