Champaign, Illinois#History

File:ChampaignCountyHistoricalMuseum 20080301 4255.jpg building, constructed in 1858, is the oldest extant building in Champaign.]]

Champaign was founded in 1855, when the Illinois Central Railroad laid its rail track two miles (3 km) west of downtown Urbana. Originally called "West Urbana", it was renamed Champaign when it acquired a city charter in 1860. Both the city and county name were derived from Champaign County, Ohio,{{cite web |url=http://ci.champaign.il.us/about-champaign/history/ |title=Our City's History |website=City of Champaign |date=n.d. |access-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-date=February 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222151358/http://ci.champaign.il.us/about-champaign/history/ |url-status=live }} which took its name from the French word for "open, level country".{{cite web |url=https://www.dictionary.net/champaign |title=Champaign |date=2023 |website=Dictionary.net |access-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531205213/https://www.dictionary.net/champaign |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://extension.osu.edu/counties/champaign/topics/agriculture-and-natural-resources/agriculture-natural-resources-in-champaign-county |title=Agriculture & Natural Resources in Champaign County |access-date=May 31, 2023 |publisher=Ohio State University Extension |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716080756/http://extension.osu.edu/counties/champaign/topics/agriculture-and-natural-resources/agriculture-natural-resources-in-champaign-county |archive-date=July 16, 2011}}

During February 1969, Carl Perkins joined with Bob Dylan to write the song "Champaign, Illinois", which Perkins released on his album On Top.{{cite web |url=http://www.rockabillyhall.com/CarlPerkins.html |title=RAB Hall of Fame: Carl Perkins |publisher=Rockabillyhall.com |access-date=April 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508155240/http://rockabillyhall.com/CarlPerkins.html |url-status=live }} The band Old 97's took another Bob Dylan song, "Desolation Row", and combined its melody with new lyrics to make a new song "Champaign, Illinois", which they released with Dylan's blessing on their 2010 album The Grand Theatre Volume One. It achieved considerable popularity. The two "Champaign, Illinois" songs are not similar to each other, except that Bob Dylan was involved in both of them.

On September 22, 1985, Champaign hosted the first Farm Aid concert at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium. The concert drew a crowd of 80,000 people and raised over $7 million for American family farmers.

In 2005, Champaign–Urbana (specifically the University of Illinois) was the location of the National Science Olympiad Tournament, attracting young scientists from all 50 states. The city also hosts the state Science Olympiad competition every year. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign once again hosted the National competition on May 20–22, 2010.

Joan Severns was the city's first female mayor, serving between 1979 and 1983. Deborah Frank Feinen, who has served as mayor since 2015, is the city's second female mayor.{{cite news |url=https://will.illinois.edu/news/story/deb-frank-feinen-pulls-ahead-in-mayoral-race#:~:text=Former%20Mayor%20Joan%20Severns%20served,were%20led%20by%20female%20mayors. |title=Deb Frank Feinen Defeats Champaign Mayor Don Gerard |first=Hannah |last=Meisel |publisher=Illinois Public Media |date=April 7, 2015 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505182012/https://will.illinois.edu/news/story/deb-frank-feinen-pulls-ahead-in-mayoral-race#:~:text=Former%20Mayor%20Joan%20Severns%20served,were%20led%20by%20female%20mayors. |url-status=live }} In May 2017, the city's first female-majority city council was sworn in.{{cite news |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/news/champaign-swears-in-its-first-female-majority-council/article_6d766d5e-4459-5a36-9127-7fa3247a5bbc.html |title=Champaign swears in its first female-majority council |first=Natalie |last=Wickman |publisher=The News-Gazette |date=May 3, 2017 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505182012/https://www.news-gazette.com/news/champaign-swears-in-its-first-female-majority-council/article_6d766d5e-4459-5a36-9127-7fa3247a5bbc.html |url-status=live }}

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Champaign has a total area of {{convert|23.14|sqmi|km2|2}}, of which {{convert|22.99|sqmi|km2|2}} (or 99.37%) is land and {{convert|0.15|sqmi|km2|2}} (or 0.63%) is water.{{cite web |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |access-date=June 29, 2022 |website=Census.gov |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |url-status=live }}

Champaign is a city in central Illinois and is located on relatively high ground, providing sources to the Kaskaskia River to the west, and the Embarras River to the south. Downtown Champaign drains into Boneyard Creek, which feeds the Saline Branch of the Salt Fork Vermilion River.{{cite web |url=https://mappingsupport.com/p2/gissurfer.php?center=40.115287,-88.240023&zoom=13&basemap=ESRI_scanned_topo_USA |title=GISsurfer General Purpose Web Map and GIS Viewer | Surf GIS DATA |website=Mappingsupport.com |access-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-date=March 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307135702/https://mappingsupport.com/p2/gissurfer.php?center=40.115287,-88.240023&zoom=13&basemap=ESRI_scanned_topo_USA |url-status=live }}

Champaign shares a border with the neighboring city of Urbana; together they are home to the University of Illinois. Champaign, Urbana, and the bordering village of Savoy form the Champaign–Urbana Metropolitan Area, also known as "Champaign–Urbana". It may also be colloquially known as the "Twin Cities", "Chambana" or "Shampoo–Banana".{{cite web |url=https://las.illinois.edu/news/2021-09-15/power-name |title=The power of a name |date=September 2021 |website=College of Liberal Arts & Sciences |access-date=May 20, 2024}}

The city has a humid continental climate, typical of the Midwestern United States, with hot summers and cold, moderately snowy winters. Temperatures exceed 90 °F (32.2 °C) on an average of 24 days per year, and typically fall below 0 °F (−17.8 °C) on six nights annually.{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=047811&refer=&cityname=Champaign-Illinois-United-States-of-America |title=Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Champaign, Illinois, United States of America – Travel, Vacation and Reference Information |publisher=Canty and Associates LLC |access-date=September 19, 2011 |archive-date=November 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117193249/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=047811&refer=&cityname=Champaign-Illinois-United-States-of-America |url-status=live }} The record high temperature in Champaign was 109 °F (42.8 °C) in 1954, and the record low was −25 °F (−31.7 °C), recorded on four separate occasions − in 1899, 1905, 1994 and 1999.{{cite web |url=http://www.isws.illinois.edu/atmos/statecli/cuweather/cu-averages.htm |title=Averages and Records for Champaign-Urbana Illinois |publisher=Illinois State Water Survey |access-date=September 29, 2011 |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415121223/http://www.isws.illinois.edu/atmos/statecli/cuweather/cu-averages.htm |url-status=live }}

{{Weather box

| location = Champaign 3S, Illinois (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1888–present)

| single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 70

| Feb record high F = 72

| Mar record high F = 85

| Apr record high F = 95

| May record high F = 97

| Jun record high F = 103

| Jul record high F = 109

| Aug record high F = 102

| Sep record high F = 102

| Oct record high F = 93

| Nov record high F = 80

| Dec record high F = 71

| year record high F = 109

| Jan high F = 33.5

| Feb high F = 38.4

| Mar high F = 50.4

| Apr high F = 63.1

| May high F = 73.8

| Jun high F = 82.7

| Jul high F = 85.2

| Aug high F = 84.0

| Sep high F = 78.8

| Oct high F = 65.8

| Nov high F = 50.7

| Dec high F = 38.5

| year high F = 62.1

| Jan mean F = 25.7

| Feb mean F = 29.8

| Mar mean F = 40.8

| Apr mean F = 52.4

| May mean F = 63.2

| Jun mean F = 72.4

| Jul mean F = 75.2

| Aug mean F = 73.8

| Sep mean F = 67.2

| Oct mean F = 54.8

| Nov mean F = 41.4

| Dec mean F = 31.1

| year mean F = 52.3

| Jan low F = 17.9

| Feb low F = 21.2

| Mar low F = 31.2

| Apr low F = 41.6

| May low F = 52.7

| Jun low F = 62.1

| Jul low F = 65.2

| Aug low F = 63.6

| Sep low F = 55.6

| Oct low F = 43.9

| Nov low F = 32.2

| Dec low F = 23.6

| year low F = 42.6

| Jan record low F = −25

| Feb record low F = −25

| Mar record low F = −9

| Apr record low F = 14

| May record low F = 26

| Jun record low F = 34

| Jul record low F = 41

| Aug record low F = 37

| Sep record low F = 24

| Oct record low F = 12

| Nov record low F = -5

| Dec record low F = −20

| year record low F = -25

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 2.31

| Feb precipitation inch = 2.18

| Mar precipitation inch = 2.77

| Apr precipitation inch = 3.94

| May precipitation inch = 4.78

| Jun precipitation inch = 4.58

| Jul precipitation inch = 4.49

| Aug precipitation inch = 3.54

| Sep precipitation inch = 3.37

| Oct precipitation inch = 3.35

| Nov precipitation inch = 3.21

| Dec precipitation inch = 2.40

| year precipitation inch = 40.92

| Jan snow inch = 6.5

| Feb snow inch = 5.8

| Mar snow inch = 2.5

| Apr snow inch = 0.3

| May snow inch = 0.0

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.0

| Oct snow inch = 0.0

| Nov snow inch = 0.9

| Dec snow inch = 4.8

| year snow inch = 20.8

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 9.9

| Feb precipitation days = 9.2

| Mar precipitation days = 10.8

| Apr precipitation days = 11.9

| May precipitation days = 13.4

| Jun precipitation days = 11.2

| Jul precipitation days = 10.3

| Aug precipitation days = 9.1

| Sep precipitation days = 7.9

| Oct precipitation days = 9.8

| Nov precipitation days = 9.8

| Dec precipitation days = 9.9

| year precipitation days = 123.2

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 5.4

| Feb snow days = 4.4

| Mar snow days = 2.1

| Apr snow days = 0.3

| May snow days = 0.0

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.0

| Nov snow days = 1.1

| Dec snow days = 4.1

| year snow days = 17.4

|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ilx |title=NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318054551/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ilx |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00118740&format=pdf |title=Station: Champaign 3S, IL |work=U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722025433/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00118740&format=pdf |url-status=live }}

}}

{{US Census population

|1860= 1727

|1870= 4625

|1880= 5103

|1890= 5839

|1900= 9098

|1910= 12421

|1920= 15873

|1930= 20348

|1940= 23302

|1950= 39563

|1960= 49583

|1970= 56837

|1980= 58133

|1990= 63502

|2000= 67518

|2010= 81055

|2020= 88302

|estyear= 2024

|estimate= 91961

|footnote=U.S. Census Bureau[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/1712385.html Historical Census Data] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814090344/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/1712385.html|date=August 14, 2012 }} Retrieved on June 24, 2014

{{cite web |title=Quickfacts: Champaign city, Illinois |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/champaigncityillinois/PST045223 |access-date=May 16,2025}}

As of the 2020 census{{cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US1712385 |access-date=June 28, 2022 |website=data.census.gov |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706195501/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US1712385 |url-status=live }} there were 88,302 people, 34,851 households, and 15,624 families residing in the city. The population density was {{Convert|3,816.81|PD/sqmi|PD/km2}}. There were 40,314 housing units at an average density of {{Convert|1,742.55|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 53.45% White, 17.97% African American, 0.37% Native American, 16.69% Asian (6.34% Chinese, 3.92% Asian Indian, 1.83% Korean, 1.05% Filipino, 0.86% Vietnamese, 0.46% Thai, 0.27% Pakistani),{{cite web |title=B02015 - Asian Alone by Selected Groups |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2022.B02015?g=160XX00US1712385 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=data.census.gov |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116014507/https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2022.B02015?g=160XX00US1712385 |url-status=live }} 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.96% from other races, and 7.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.74% of the population.

There were 34,851 households, out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.63% were married couples living together, 8.77% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.17% were non-families. 39.97% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.01% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 2.30.

The city's age distribution consisted of 17.0% under the age of 18, 29.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,467, and the median income for a family was $78,118. Males had a median income of $36,680 versus $27,805 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,245. About 10.3% of families and 23.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

{{see also|List of mayors of Champaign, Illinois}}

File:Illini Union.jpg at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The university is the city's top employer.]]

In addition to the University of Illinois, Champaign is also home to Parkland College. Herff Jones, formerly Collegiate Cap and Gown, and Kraft also form part of the city's industrial base. Kraft's plant is one of the largest pasta factories in North America. The Champaign-Urbana community is a well-known hub for startups, including a top ranking from Silicon Prairie News in 2019.{{cite web |url=http://www.champaigncountyedc.org/champaign-urbana-ranked-top-startup-city-by-silicon-prairie-news |title=Champaign County Economic Development Corporation | Champaign-Urbana Ranked Top Startup City by Silicon Prairie News |access-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423141034/http://www.champaigncountyedc.org/champaign-urbana-ranked-top-startup-city-by-silicon-prairie-news |url-status=live }}

Champaign is home to nationally recognized record labels, artist management companies, booking agencies, and recording studios. Polyvinyl Records, Undertow Music, Parasol Records, Great Western Record Recorders, Pogo Studios, and Nicodemus Booking Agency are all based in Champaign.

In April 2011, The Christian Science Monitor named Champaign-Urbana one of the five cities leading the economic turnaround based on jobs; the information sector added over 300 jobs within a year and unemployment dropped 2.1%.[http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2011/0415/Local-jobs-Top-five-cities-leading-the-turnaround/Champaign-Urbana-Ill.-unemployment-down-2.1-percentage-points Local jobs: Top five cities leading the turnaround] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129023447/http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2011/0415/Local-jobs-Top-five-cities-leading-the-turnaround/Champaign-Urbana-Ill.-unemployment-down-2.1-percentage-points |date=January 29, 2012 }} Christian Science Monitor – April 15, 2011

{{main|Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign}}

File:University of Illinois Research Park Aerial View 2017.jpg]]

Champaign features a large technology and software industry mostly focusing on research and development of new technologies. The Research Park, located on campus land just south of the State Farm Center and run by the University of Illinois, is home to many companies, including Caterpillar, ADM, John Deere, AbbVie, Motorola Solutions, Brunswick, Capital One, Cargill, NVIDIA, Riverbed Technology, Abbott Laboratories, Yahoo! and the State Farm Research and Development Center.{{cite web |url=http://www.sfresearchcenter.com/ |title=State Farm Research Center |publisher=Sfresearchcenter.com |access-date=August 5, 2011 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716044706/http://www.sfresearchcenter.com/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Tenant Directory |url=http://researchpark.illinois.edu/directory |publisher=Research Park |access-date=September 17, 2014 |archive-date=September 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927052240/http://researchpark.illinois.edu/directory |url-status=live }}

The technology incubator at Research Park, EnterpriseWorks, has launched 350+ startups since opening in 2014. Famous graduates of EnterpriseWorks include Agrible, which was sold to Nutrien in 2018 for $63 million.{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2018 |title=Nutrien Acquires Agrible for $63m to "Create Ag Retailer of the Future" |url=https://agfundernews.com/nutrien-acquires-agrible-for-63m-to-create-ag-retailer-of-the-future |access-date=February 21, 2023 |website=AFN |language=en-US}} Another success story is Starfire, which graduated from EnterpriseWorks and moved into other space at the Research Park. In 2022, Starfire was growing so fast, it bought its own 190,000 SF building in the northwest side of Champaign.{{Cite web |title=Growing Champaign tech company Starfire Industries moving to larger building |url=https://news.yahoo.com/growing-champaign-tech-company-starfire-144700917.html |access-date=February 21, 2023 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=May 21, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221044104/https://news.yahoo.com/growing-champaign-tech-company-starfire-144700917.html |url-status=live }}

File:Carle Hospital looking NE .jpg]]

According to the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation,{{cite web |url=http://champaigncountyedc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2018-Top-15-Employers-Champaign-County.pdf |title=2018 Top 15 Employers |access-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214002910/http://champaigncountyedc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2018-Top-15-Employers-Champaign-County.pdf |url-status=live }} the top ten employers in the city are:

Other major employers include Horizon Hobby, Jimmy John's, Plastipak, SuperValu, and Wolfram Research. Numerous other software and technology companies also have offices in Champaign including Ansys, Amdocs, Cloudflare, Instarecon, Phonak, Power World, and Caterpillar Simulation Center. The largest high technology employer is Wolfram Research, with more than 400 employees in Champaign.{{cite web |title=TED 2010 Start |url=http://www.champaigncountyedc.org/TED2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725154817/http://www.champaigncountyedc.org/TED2010.pdf |archive-date=July 25, 2011 |access-date=August 5, 2011}} The United States Army Corps of Engineers maintains the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign.

{{see also|National Register of Historic Places listings in Champaign County, Illinois}}

File:City Building Champaign Illinois from west.jpg in downtown Champaign]]

File:Orpheum 3.jpg]]

In the 1980s, part of the downtown Champaign area (Neil St.) was closed to vehicular traffic to create a pedestrian mall, but this short-lived experiment was scrapped when business declined. As part of a revitalization effort, One Main Development constructed two new mixed-use buildings: One Main and M2 on Neil. The City of Champaign gave $3.7 million in tax incentives for the building of M2 and agreed to pay nearly $11 million for a new parking deck.{{cite web |url=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/12/14/2172078.htm |title=TMCnet.com |publisher=TMCnet.com |access-date=August 5, 2011 |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607033250/http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/12/14/2172078.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.pantagraph.com/business/article_94e1aeac-6ca0-11de-9807-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Destihl's Champaign location set for opening by late fall |website=Pantagraph.com |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date=August 5, 2011 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907024335/https://pantagraph.com/business/article_94e1aeac-6ca0-11de-9807-001cc4c002e0.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.news-gazette.com/special/metropolitan_fire/coverage.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419171719/http://www.news-gazette.com/special/metropolitan_fire/coverage.cfm |url-status=dead |title=News-gazette.com |archive-date=April 19, 2009 |access-date=March 10, 2022}}{{cite web |url=http://www.downtownchampaign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/2009-february-new-six-story-parking-garage-opens-on-monday.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412192553/http://www.downtownchampaign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/2009-february-new-six-story-parking-garage-opens-on-monday.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |title=Downtownchampaign.com |publisher=Downtownchampaign.com |access-date=August 5, 2011}}

This growth in downtown Champaign coincided with the larger growth of the "north Prospect" shopping district on the city's northern boundary. The growth in the north Prospect area relied, in part, on leapfrogging, moving out to the countryside and developing more remote farmland that eventually connects to the main development. Given the overwhelming success of such suburban shopping areas nationally, new development within any city center represented an alternative to the dominant movement out and away from the cities.

The Champaign City Building serves as the City Hall and is a recognizable landmark. The building replaces the original city building, which sat on the same site until 1937.

File:Roger Ebert Statue, Virginia Theater (Champaign).JPG giving his "thumbs up" outside the Virginia Theatre]]

The historic Virginia Theatre is a restored 1463-seat movie theater which opened on December 28, 1921. It has an ornate, Spanish Renaissance-influenced interior, full stage and dressing rooms, and its original Wurlitzer pipe organ. It hosts Ebertfest{{cite web |url=http://www.ebertfest.com/ |title=Ebertfest.com |website=Ebertfest.com |access-date=August 5, 2011 |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415232655/http://www.ebertfest.com/ |url-status=live }} and has a single 56' x 23' screen. The theater does not have a daily show schedule, but schedules special screenings and live performances several times each month.

The Art Theater Co-op, which showed independent and foreign films, was built in 1913 as the Park Theatre. From 1969 to 1986, it showed adult films.[http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1851/ Cinema Treasures: Boardman's Art Theatre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228235248/http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1851/ |date=February 28, 2010 }} Cinematreasures.org, Accessed October 18, 2007 Until October 2019, it was the only single-screen movie theater operating daily in Champaign-Urbana, and was the United States's first co-operatively owned art movie theater. It closed in October 2019.[http://www.news-gazette.com/arts-entertainment/local/2012-09-10/art-theater-cooperative-takes-over.html Art Theater Cooperative takes over] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628153444/http://www.news-gazette.com/arts-entertainment/local/2012-09-10/art-theater-cooperative-takes-over.html |date=June 28, 2014 }}, News-gazette.com, Accessed May 14, 2013{{cite web |url=http://www.thearttheater.org/thankyou/ |title=Thank you, Art patrons |website=Thearttheater.org |access-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225013208/http://www.thearttheater.org/thankyou/ |url-status=dead }}

{{main|Campustown (Champaign, Illinois)}}

Located along Green Street, this commercial district serves as the entertainment and retail center for students at the University of Illinois and citizens of the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area. This area has been undergoing change since 2002 with the completion of a new $7 million streetscape project. Campustown is now attracting new retail and entertainment stores as well as serving as the center for new construction projects. Several new projects opened in 2008 including the 18-story Burnham 310 high-rise and grocery store at 4th and Springfield, and a new 24-story apartment building called 309 Green.[http://www.hparchitecture.com/projects/residential/education/?pid=144 HPA | Architecture and Design Company Chicago | University Architecture] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116133911/http://www.hparchitecture.com/projects/residential/education/?pid=144 |date=January 16, 2014 }}. Hparchitecture.com. Retrieved on August 17, 2013.

The newly renamed Tower at 3rd (formerly Champaign Hilton, Century 21, Quality Inn, University Inn, Presidential Tower) is located in the University District and is over twenty stories high. A hotel until 2001, it currently houses student apartments.[http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/2006-12-03/tower-turning-35-controversy-over-its-construction-lingers.html Tower turning 35, but controversy over its construction lingers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018004919/http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/2006-12-03/tower-turning-35-controversy-over-its-construction-lingers.html |date=October 18, 2013 }}. News-Gazette.com. Retrieved on August 17, 2013.

A new 14-story apartment complex was completed in 2014 at the intersection of 6th and Green streets (site of the former Gameday Spirit).O'Dea, Janelle. (June 10, 2013) [http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/article_bedc6fe4-d169-11e2-9cbf-001a4bcf6878.html Construction of high-rise Bankier Apartments begins on Green Street] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203100426/http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/article_bedc6fe4-d169-11e2-9cbf-001a4bcf6878.html |date=February 3, 2014 }} The Daily Illini. Retrieved on August 17, 2013. A 12-story, mixed-use complex consisting of a hotel, apartments and parking was scheduled to be completed by August 2015. The mixed-use complex is reported to consist of two towers which will be connected by a skywalk. A 27-story apartment building is planned at 308 East Green Street.{{cite web |url=http://ci.champaign.il.us/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HERE-Champaign-Planned-Development-Application-4-2-13-Drawings.pdf |title=308 E. Green Street - Preliminary Concept Drawings |access-date=June 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116123533/http://ci.champaign.il.us/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HERE-Champaign-Planned-Development-Application-4-2-13-Drawings.pdf |archive-date=January 16, 2014}} This high-rise is reported to have an automated parking vault which will be operated by an elevator.[http://www.dailyillini.com/news/local/article_b2f5099c-a898-11e2-a87a-001a4bcf6878.html Green Street landscape to change with addition of high rises] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725044652/http://www.dailyillini.com/news/local/article_b2f5099c-a898-11e2-a87a-001a4bcf6878.html |date=July 25, 2013 }}. The Daily Illini (April 19, 2013). Retrieved on August 17, 2013.

• Orpheum Children's Science Museum.{{cite web |url=http://www.orpheumkids.com/ |title=ORPHEUM CHILDREN'S SCIENCE MUSEUM – Where diverse children of all ages are inspired, engaged and educated through exploration of the sciences and arts. |website=orpheumkids.com |access-date=June 28, 2013 |archive-date=June 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624133655/http://orpheumkids.com/ |url-status=usurped }} A hands on science museum for children. It closed in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Meadows |first=Jim |date=June 12, 2020 |title=Champaign's Orpheum Children's Science Museum To Close - Illinois Newsroom |url=https://illinoisnewsroom.org/champaigns-orpheum-childrens-science-museum-to-close/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520053102/https://illinoisnewsroom.org/champaigns-orpheum-childrens-science-museum-to-close/ |url-status=live }}
• Krannert Art Museum.[http://www.art.uiuc.edu/galleries/kam/ Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120213157/http://www.art.uiuc.edu/galleries/kam/ |date=November 20, 2008 }}. Art.uiuc.edu. Retrieved on August 17, 2013. An Art Museum featuring both modern and classical art owned by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It has {{convert|48000|sqft|m2}} of space devoted to all periods of art, from ancient Egyptian to contemporary photography.
• Champaign County Historical Museum.{{cite web |url=https://www.champaignmuseum.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105094655/http://www.champaignmuseum.org/ |url-status=dead |title=News aus dem Internet |archive-date=November 5, 2014 |access-date=March 10, 2022}} Located in the historic Cattle Bank built in 1858. Features exhibits on the history of the area and the Midwest as a whole.
• Champaign Public Library
• Urbana Free Library

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign fields ten men and eleven women varsity sports.

File:MemorialStadiumIllinois.jpg]]

Built from 1922 to 1923, Memorial Stadium was named in honor of the students and faculty members who died overseas during World War I. Since opening in 1923, Memorial Stadium has been home to Illinois Fighting Illini football. The stadium also was the temporary home of the NFL's Chicago Bears for the 2002 season while its regular venue Soldier Field was being renovated.

Originally known as the Assembly Hall, the State Farm Center is home to the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball and Illinois Fighting Illini women's basketball teams. It holds the annual Broadway Series, which features popular musicals.

During its history, the city has been home to several separate minor league baseball clubs. The first in 1889 was a shared club between Champaign and Logansport, Indiana, called the Logansport/Champaign-Urbana Clippers. The Clippers played for one season in the Illinois–Indiana League before folding.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=3722489a 1889 Logansport/Champaign-Urbana Clippers Statistics – Minor Leagues] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218204342/http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=3722489a |date=December 18, 2014 }}. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved on August 17, 2013. The city hosted its second team, the Champaign-Urbana Velvets from 1911 to 1914 who played in the Illinois–Missouri League until the league disbanded after 1914.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?city=Champaign&state=IL&country=US Champaign, Illinois Minor League history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218203740/http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?city=Champaign&state=IL&country=US |date=December 18, 2014 }}. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved on August 17, 2013. The city's most recent minor league team was the Champaign-Urbana Bandits who played during the single 1994 season of the Great Central League.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=ce5bccba 1994 Champaign-Urbana Bandits Statistics – Minor Leagues] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529073400/http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=ce5bccba |date=May 29, 2015 }}. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved on August 17, 2013. The Bandits played at Illinois Field. Prior to holding postseason play, the league folded.

Twice Champaign was also home to a Collegiate Summer Baseball League team. The city's Champaign County Colts were a founding member of the Central Illinois Collegiate League from 1963 to 1964. In 1990 the Colts were revived as the Champaign-Urbana Colts until the team folded in 1996. The more recent club played its home games at Illinois Field.[http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2011-06-26/mayor-wants-explore-options-minor-league-baseball-champaign.html Mayor wants to explore options for minor league baseball in Champaign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803040157/http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2011-06-26/mayor-wants-explore-options-minor-league-baseball-champaign.html |date=August 3, 2013 }}. News-Gazette.com (June 26, 2011). Retrieved on August 17, 2013.

In October 2014, the Midwest Professional Basketball Association announced the creation of the Champaign Swarm as one of its founding members, that began play at the Dodds Athletic Center in January 2015.

{{Main|Champaign Park District}}

File:West Side Park.jpg

There are 60 parks, 11 trails, and 14 facilities within the city of Champaign, totaling over {{convert|654|acre|km2}}.[http://www.champaignparkdistrict.com/general/faq.htm General Info – FAQs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920054334/http://www.champaignparkdistrict.com/general/faq.htm |date=September 20, 2008 }}. Champaignparkdistrict.com. Retrieved on August 17, 2013.

File:Champaign Central High School.jpg]]

The city of Champaign is served by Champaign Unit 4 School District. Unit 4 administers both Champaign Central High School and Champaign Centennial High School.

Champaign is also served by three private high schools. The largest of the three is St. Thomas More High School which is located on the city's far northwest side. The school opened in 2000 and is the newest charter of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria. Judah Christian School, which is located just south of I-74 on Prospect Avenue, opened in 1983 and serves grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Academy High is a private, independent high school located in South Champaign which opened in 2017.{{cite news |last=Bursztynsky |first=Jessica |date=August 6, 2017 |title=It's nearly opening day for Academy High |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/news/its-nearly-opening-day-for-academy-high/article_78484d92-0a6e-548d-bd76-e12d1bf8fbd6.html |work=The News-Gazette |location=Champaign, Illinois |access-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531182842/https://www.news-gazette.com/news/its-nearly-opening-day-for-academy-high/article_78484d92-0a6e-548d-bd76-e12d1bf8fbd6.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Hinton |first=Dave |date=March 26, 2021 |title=Champaign's Academy High receives IHSA admission |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/education/champaigns-academy-high-receives-ihsa-admission/article_dc44415c-4612-519d-bb73-f202eb1fa639.html |work=The News-Gazette |location=Champaign, Illinois |access-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531182839/https://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/education/champaigns-academy-high-receives-ihsa-admission/article_dc44415c-4612-519d-bb73-f202eb1fa639.html |url-status=live }} The school is designed to be student-centered, highly collaborative, and project-based.

Located within Champaign are two institutions of higher education, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Parkland College. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, located in the city's eastern side, is a public land-grant research university and the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system. It is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States with over 50,000 students enrolled annually.{{cite web |website=illinois.edu |url=https://dmi.illinois.edu/stuenr/class/enrsp23.htm |title=UIUC Student Enrollment by Curriculum and Student Level Fall 2023 |publisher=University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |access-date=January 3, 2024 |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210203442/https://dmi.illinois.edu/stuenr/class/enrsp23.htm |url-status=live }} Parkland College, located in northwestern Champaign, is part of the Illinois Community College System and enrolls approximately 9,000 students annually.

{{col-list|colwidth=30em|

• 88.3 W201CK (Translates 90.7 KHRI) "Air 1", Christian CHR
• 88.7 WPCD, Parkland College College radio
• 89.3 WGNJ, Religious
• 90.1 WEFT, Community radio
• 90.9 WILL-FM, Classical music (RDS)
• 91.7 WBGL, Christian AC (RDS)
• 92.1 W221CK "Extra 92.1" Rock (RDS – Artist/Title)
• 92.5 WREE "Rewind 92.5", Classic hits (RDS – Artist/Title)
• 93.5 WSJK, Talk/sports
• 94.5 WLRW "Mix 94.5" Hot AC (RDS – Artist/Title) (HD Radio)
• 95.3 WJEK, Adult contemporary
• 95.7 WLHF, Catholic radio, Religious, Christian {{cite web |url=http://catholicradiocu.com/ |title=Catholic Radio Champaign/Urbana Illinois |publisher=Catholicradiocu.com |date= |access-date=August 5, 2022}}
• 96.1 WQQB "Q 96", CHR/Pop (RDS)
• 97.5 WHMS-FM "Lite Rock 97.5" Adult contemporary
• 98.3 WPEO-FM, Christian
• 99.1 WYXY "WYXY Classic" Country (RDS – Artist/Title)
• 99.7 W259BG "HITS 99.7" Top 40
• 100.3 WIXY "WIXY 100.3" Country (RDS – Artist/Title)
• 101.1 W266AF (Translates 90.9 WILL-FM HD2), Classical music
• 102.5 WGNN, Religious
• 103.9 W280DE (Translates 102.5 WGNN), Religious
• 104.5 WRFU-LP "Radio Free Urbana", Variety
• 105.5 WCZQ "Hot 105.5" Hip Hop & R&B
• 105.9 WGKC, Country (RDS)
• 106.5 simulcast of 1460 AM WKJR, Spanish Music
• 107.1 WPGU, "Champaign's Alternative", Alternative rock
• 107.9 WKIO "U-Rock 107.9" Classic rock
• 580 WILL, Public Radio
• 1400 WDWS, News/Talk (AM Stereo)
• 1460 WKJR, Spanish Music

}}

NOAA Weather Radio station WXJ76 transmits from Champaign and is licensed to NOAA's National Weather Service Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office at Lincoln, broadcasting on a frequency of 162.550 MHz (channel 7 on most newer weather radios, and most SAME weather radios). The station activates the SAME tone alarm feature and a 1050 Hz tone activating older radios (except for AMBER Alerts, using the SAME feature only) for hazardous weather and non-weather warnings and emergencies, along with selected weather watches, for the Illinois counties of Champaign, Coles, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Moultrie, Piatt, and Vermillion. Weather permitting, a tone alarm test of both the SAME and 1050 Hz tone features are conducted every Wednesday between 11 am and Noon.

• 3 WCIA, CBS
• 7 W07DD-D, Three Angels Broadcasting Network
• 12 WILL-TV, PBS
• 15 WICD "NewsChannel 15", ABC
• 17 WAND, NBC
• 23 WBUI, CW
• 27 WCCU "Fox 55/27"
• 33 W31EH-D, Trinity Broadcasting Network
• 44 WBXC-CA, MTV 2
• 49 WCIX "My WCFN TV" MyNetworkTV
• 51 WEIU, PBS

• The News-Gazette, daily local newspaper
• Daily Illini, campus newspaper
• The Booze News, former satirical campus newspaper, now called The Black Sheep
• Buzz Weekly, weekly entertainment magazine
• Prospectus News, Parkland College's independent student newspaper

Champaign is served by I-57, I-72, I-74, two railroad lines, and the University of Illinois operated Willard Airport (CMI).

Interstate 57 enters in Champaign County after a diamond interchange with Curtis Road. It makes two Cloverleaf interchanges with Interstate 72 towards Decatur, Illinois, and the second (soon to be changed) Cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 74 in Illinois to Indianapolis. After making the two major interchanges, it runs out of Champaign County with a Partial cloverleaf interchange with U.S. Route 45 to Rantoul, Illinois. Interstate 74 starts with U.S. Route 150 in Illinois with Mahomet, Illinois, it makes two total interchanges within the city's limits. After making those interchanges, it makes one interchange with Interstate 57. After making the main interchange it starts to make interchanges with the city's streets. Interstate 74 goes out of Champaign County with St. Joseph, Illinois. Interstate 72 enters Champaign County with an interchange towards Monticello and north towards Mahomet after the main route that heads north crosses Interstate 74. Interstate 72 then heads into the cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 57 and then continues east for 1 1/2 to 2 miles eventually terminating itself at University Avenue on the southeast side of Champaign.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break|width=20%}}

Interstate Highways

25px Interstate 57

25px Interstate 72

25px Interstate 74

{{col-break|width=15%}}

US Highways

25px US 45

25px US 150

{{col-break|width=65%}}

Illinois Highways

25px Route 10

{{col-end}}

File:CUMTD Bus 2105.jpg (MTD) bus]]

In 1999, a newly designed intermodal transportation center, aptly named Illinois Terminal by historic reference to the defunct electric interurban rail line that once ran through Champaign, was completed and serves as a central facility for intercity passenger rail, bus services as well as the MTD's local bus network. Danville Mass Transit and Champaign County Area Rural Transit System, which primarily provide transit services to Danville and Rantoul respectively, have connecting services to Illinois Terminal.

The local bus system, which is supported by the taxpayers of the Champaign–Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) and the University of Illinois, serves Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, and surrounding areas. The C-U MTD has twice been named as the best local transit system in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.apta.com/members/memberprogramsandservices/awards/Pages/APTAAwardsPrevious.aspx |title=American Public Transportation Association past awards page |publisher=Apta.com |access-date=April 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222155831/http://www.apta.com/members/memberprogramsandservices/awards/Pages/APTAAwardsPrevious.aspx |archive-date=February 22, 2013 |url-status=dead}}

C-CARTS provides bus service connecting Champaign, Urbana and Rantoul.{{cite web |url=https://c-carts.com/deviated-fixed-routes/ |title=C-CARTS Deviated Fixed Routes |access-date=January 28, 2024 |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205225820/https://c-carts.com/deviated-fixed-routes/ |url-status=live }}

File:Illinois Terminal Champaign Illinois.jpg]]

Amtrak provides service to Champaign–Urbana out of Illinois Terminal by: Train 58/59, the City of New Orleans; Train 390/391, the Saluki; and Train 392/393, the Illini.

The former Illinois Central Railroad line—now part of the Canadian National Railway system—runs north to south through the city. A spur line from the Canadian National line provides service to several large industries, including two large food processing plants, on the west edge of Champaign and two grain elevators in outlying communities to the west. Norfolk Southern Railway operates an east-to-west line through Champaign, connecting eastern Urbana to the Norfolk Southern main line at Mansfield, Illinois, along the former Peoria & Eastern Railway.

Greyhound Lines, Peoria Charter Coach Company, and Burlington Trailways provide intercity bus service to Champaign.[http://www.ci.champaign.il.us/parking_trans/index.php The City of Champaign Illinois: Public Transportation] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017092206/http://www.ci.champaign.il.us/parking_trans/index.php |date=October 17, 2007 }} Accessed October 18, 2007 Lincoln Land Express, a Champaign-based bus service, shut down in 2013.{{Cite web |last=Ditman |first=Tim |date=December 13, 2012 |title=Lincolnland Express bus company to shut down permanently |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/news/lincolnland-express-bus-company-to-shut-down-permanently/article_b32291b2-d6ae-53d4-ac87-cee1dda86c3a.html |access-date=January 6, 2024 |website=The News-Gazette |language=en |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106164332/https://www.news-gazette.com/news/lincolnland-express-bus-company-to-shut-down-permanently/article_b32291b2-d6ae-53d4-ac87-cee1dda86c3a.html |url-status=live }}

Champaign is served by Willard Airport (CMI) which is operated by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The airport is currently served by American Eagle offering daily flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. It was formerly home to the University of Illinois Institute of Aviation, which was established in 1945 and absorbed by Parkland College in 2014.

{{Main|List of people from Champaign, Illinois}}

{{Portal|Illinois}}

• Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area
• Triaxial Earthquake and Shock Simulator, experimental device located in Champaign.

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|Champaign, Illinois}}

• [http://www.champaignil.gov/ City of Champaign Web Site]
• {{EB1911|wstitle=Champaign|volume=5|page=828|noprescript=1}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060509013134/http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilchampa/towns-townships/champtwnshp.html Early History of Champaign]

{{Champaign, Illinois}}

{{University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign campus}}

{{Champaign County, Illinois}}

{{Central-Illinois}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1855 establishments in Illinois

Category:Cities in Illinois

Category:Cities in Champaign County, Illinois

Category:Populated places established in 1855