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About Check CU
This non-profit site was established to aid in disseminating information about relevant issues in the Champaign-Urbana area. Transparency and access to public records is paramount to functioning government and since the public bodies within CU are failing in that regard, civilians must do the work. If you have files or documents that are of public interest, please consider sending them to Check CU so that we can make them publicly accessible.
-Christopher Hansen, Founder
Latest articles
Urbana City Clerk to Remove Another Newcomer Candidate from 2021 Ballot
More than two months after primary candidate petition filings were due, newcomer candidates are still finding themselves in the crosshairs of seasoned politicians. On January 26th Adam Rusch, an Urbana City Council candidate who is running as a Libertarian in...
Urbana Police to Buy Riot Helmets and Gas Masks, Amidst Push for a More Friendly UPD
Law Enforcement Officer Wearing an Avon PC50 Gas Mask and Riot Helmet (the same equipment ordered by the Urbana Police Department) Though the overwhelming demand from the residents of Urbana is to move their police department toward a less violent and more...
Check CU Founder Runs for Urbana City Council in Ward 2
Due to all of the problems I have uncovered in local government over the past five years, and on the urging of others who follow my work, I have decided to run for office. In November, I submitted my petition to be on the Democratic ballot for the Ward 2 seat on...
Champaign ACLU, NAACP, Propose Their Own Urbana Police Use of Force Policy
After a failed attempt by Police Chief Bryant Seraphin to get Council approval for a new Police Use of Force Policy, the Champaign County ACLU and NAACP are taking a more hands-on approach. On January 11th, Seraphin presented an updated version of the Urbana Police...
Voter Cheat Sheet – Urbana 2021 Consolidated Primary Election
Who can vote? US Citizen, by birth or naturalizationAt least 18 years old on or before the next election (born on or before April 6, 2003)If you will be 18 on or before the next General election, you may register and vote in the PrimaryLived in Illinois and in your...
Urbana Administrator Chastised for Dishonest Presentation on Human Rights
At the Urbana Committee of the Whole meeting on January 19th, City Administrator Carol Mitten brought forth an ordinance change that would exempt City employees, elected officials, and appointed board members from being subject to anti-discrimination laws. Check CU...
Urbana Administrator Pushes to Exempt City from Anti-Discrimination Laws
The City of Urbana is once again moving in the opposite direction of the overwhelming public demand for increased equality and accountability. City Administrator Carol Mitten is urging the Council to exempt the City and all of its staff from Urbana’s Human...
Community Advocate, U of I Associate Director Runs for Urbana City Council Ward 4
Jaya Kolisetty, U of I Associate Director for the Woman's Resource Center, Urbana City Council Ward 4 Candidate Jaya Kolisetty has spent many years serving as an advocate for some of the community’s most traumatized individuals. Now, she hopes to expand her role...
Maryalice Wu, Urbana Electoral Board, to be Investigated for Open Meetings Act Violations
Urbana 2020 Electoral Board: Maryalice Wu, Bill Colbrook, (not pictured: Phyllis Clark). Hearing Officer Deanna Mool, and City Attorney James Simon. At least two complaints have been filed with the Illinois Attorney General in regards to the Urbana Electoral Board...
The Time Mayor Marlin Skipped Public Input, Lied About it, then Tried to Cover it Up
Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin gets upset at a City Council meeting on January 4th, 2020 over allegations that she frequently tries to deceive the public At the January 4th City Council meeting, Mayor Diane Marlin finally commented on the numerous Open Meetings Act (OMA)...
Champaign Native Rita Conerly Runs for Township Supervisor
Rita Conerly, running for Champaign Township Supervisor The 2021 elections in the Champaign-Urbana area has attracted perhaps a record number of newcomer candidates who decided to become involved because they were displeased with their local government. Rita...
The State of Transparency and Police Oversight in Urbana 2021
On November 2nd, 2020, Urbana City Administrator Carol Mitten spoke about a mysterious memo regarding the legality of the obstacles she had placed in front of Urbana residents attempting to submit police complaints. The memo was in regards to the filing of...
Attorney General: Danville Police Department Violated FOIA in Regards to Arrest Reports
On December 29th, 2020, the Office of the Attorney General of Illinois issued a determination on a Freedom of Information Act dispute regarding Danville Police Department records. Chief Deputy Attorney General Brent Stratton declared that Danville violated FOIA...
Emails Show Urbana Mayor Lied about 1,400 page FOIA Request
On October 5th, within an Urbana City Council discussion about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin attempted to parade the “enormous expenditure of resources” that the City incurs in fulfilling FOIA requests. She did so by claiming that...
Champaign League of Women Voters Seeks Input for Candidate Forums to be Held in January
The League of Women Voters of Champaign County has announced that it will host “Candidate Forums” for the positions of Champaign Township Supervisor, Urbana Mayor, and Urbana City Council Wards 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. The League is seeking input from local residents on...
Ward 5 Candidate Meghan McDonald: Urbana Politics Need Not be an Insider’s Game
Urbana City Council Ward 5 Candidate, Meghan McDonald (and Francesca) Local politics seems to have attracted a record number of newcomer volunteers seeking involvement with their government. The changing tides may be rocking the boat more than usual in the...
Urbana Police Review Board Continues to Struggle with Their Own Ordinance
Attorney Ben Gehrt, hired by City Administrator Carol Mitten, argues that Urbana's Civilian Police Review Board should not be allowed to accept police complaints based on video evidence. The Urbana Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB) met on December 17th, though they...
Champaign Mayor Offers Grudging Recusal from Electoral Board
Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen has finally recused herself from an Electoral Board hearing after issues have been raised about her personal bias in the matter. Some of those issues have been described in a recent Check CU article,...
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