Good morning Champaign! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Stitch Camp at the Farm: Halloween Gnome Series and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Planning and Development Director Bruce Knight Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Planning Association Illinois Chapter (champaignil.gov) — Champaign residents are being asked to celebrate Planning and Development Director Bruce Knight, who just received the American Planning Association Illinois Chapter's Lifetime Achievement Award for shaping the city's growth since 1988. City leaders credit him with guiding long-range planning, zoning, and economic development that have influenced how Champaign looks, grows, and functions today.
2. Dozens of firefighters awarded for their acts of service in Champaign (wcia.com) — Champaign residents can take pride in their fire department as dozens of local firefighters were honored this week for outstanding service, including awards for Firefighter, Engineer and Officer of the Year plus Medals of Valor. Chief Tyler Funk said the peer-selected awards make the recognition especially meaningful, highlighting the sacrifices firefighters make for the community year-round.
3. Central Illinois announces official 2026 trick-or-treat hours (wcia.com) — Families in Champaign and across Champaign County can plan ahead: official trick-or-treating will run from 5 to 7 p.m. on Halloween Saturday under county rules. Nearby cities like Danville, Effingham, Charleston, and Mattoon have set slightly different hours, and police are urging parents to watch traffic, use crosswalks, and carefully inspect all candy for safety.
4. Champaign Public Library at 150 (news-gazette.com) — Champaign's Public Library is marking 150 years as a beloved community hub, with residents and local leaders sharing memories from the Burnham Athenaeum days to today's light-filled Green Street building. Stories highlight how programs like mentoring groups, children's reading events, The Studio, and massive book giveaways have shaped lives across Champaign, reinforcing the library's role as a welcoming civic gathering place.
5. Champaign County Chamber of Commerce prepares for annual meeting and upcoming events (chambanasun.com) — Champaign County businesses still have time to register for the Chamber's Oct. 23 annual meeting at the I Hotel, where the 2026 Small Business of the Year will be announced. The Chamber is also offering harassment-prevention webinars, promoting a generous county-backed small business grant program open through year's end, and highlighting recent workforce events connecting students with local manufacturers.
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Ok Champaign! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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