Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why a walkout stopped Champaign County’s high-stakes home-rule vote
And on the Champaign Patch calendar - Knitting Night @The Scratching Post CU
Hi Champaign! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a walkout stopped Champaign County's high-stakes home-rule vote
- How Champaign County's new app could change your next trip to vote
- Why officials say Champaign County drivers should never risk flooded roads
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Thursday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 80 and low of 55 degrees.
- Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 82, low: 60.
- Saturday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 81 and low of 59 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Board Walkout Halts Champaign County Home-Rule Vote Amid Data Center Debate (sjodaily.com) — A special Champaign County Board meeting collapsed after a walkout by several members, stalling a vote on whether to ask voters to grant the county home-rule powers this November. The issue is tightly tied to a heated debate over data centers, with supporters arguing home rule is needed to permanently restrict such developments once the current moratorium expires next spring. The article also explains what home rule would legally allow the county to do. 
2. Clerk's office launches election information app (news-gazette.com) — Champaign County voters now have a new Poll Tracker app to check local election results, candidates, polling places, wait times, and drop box locations right from their phones. The free app is live for Apple devices, with Android coming soon, and arrives just in time for early voting to begin Sept. 24.
3. Turn Around, Don't Drown (foxillinois.com) — Champaign County emergency officials are urging drivers to avoid flooded roads and turn around rather than risk driving through high water, even on familiar routes. They warn that conditions can change quickly, water can hide road damage, and rescue crews may not reach every flooded spot with barricades. If you do get trapped, they advise calling 911, staying calm, and following dispatcher instructions.
4. RPC holding event next month to help Champaign Co. residents with vehicle repairs (wcia.com) — Champaign County residents who need help paying for car repairs can attend a walk-in assistance event at the Regional Planning Commission office in Urbana on Thursday, Sept. 10. Staff will approve 25 eligible applicants on a first-come basis for up to $1,400 in minor repair costs, helping keep local workers safely on the road.
5. Fall Parades in Champaign-Urbana (chambanamoms.com) — If you love parades, Champaign-Urbana's fall calendar is packed with options close to home, from the downtown Champaign County Labor Day Parade to the University of Illinois Homecoming parade. The guide highlights favorite picks and lists dates, locations, and reasons to go for events in Champaign, Urbana, and nearby small towns through mid-November.
📸 Around Champaign
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Champaign
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Knitting Night @The Scratching Post CU →
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce The Scratching Post is Champaign's Cat & Board Game Cafe. Enjoy our light snack and drink menu, purchase a game pass to access our massive library of 500+ board games, or make a reservation to visit our cat lounge where 20+ adoptable cats are waiting
7:00 pm - Varsity Football vs. Danville
Central High School Champaign, IL 61820
7:00 pm - Girls tennis @ Centennial Charger Invite
Central High School Champaign, IL 61820
8:00 am - Board Game Demo Days @The Scratching Post CU!
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce The Scratching Post is Champaign's Cat & Board Game Cafe. Enjoy our light snack and drink menu, purchase a game pass to access our massive library of 500+ board games, or make a reservation to visit our cat lounge where 20+ adoptable cats are waiting
2:00 pm - Knights BB-MS Boys - VS Urbana Middle School (Game) →
Franklin Middle School HOME - Spalding Park Champaign IL
4:00 pm - SOFTBALL vs. Edison
Jefferson Middle School Champaign, IL 61821
4:00 pm - Girls Tennis vs. Maroa Forsyth
Central High School Champaign, IL 61820
4:30 pm - JV Football @ Danville
Central High School Champaign, IL 61820
4:30 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
📣 Champaign Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Freshman Football @ Danville
Central High School Champaign, IL 61820
4:30 pm - BASEBALL @ Mahomet
Jefferson Middle School Champaign, IL 61821
4:30 pm - Jefferson Open House
Jefferson Middle School Champaign, IL 61821
5:30 pm - Lead Like A Girl
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce CityView Banquet & Meeting Center 45 E. University Ave. Champaign
6:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I have FREE books.
The Hunger Games, HOOT, Divergent, The Lightning Thief, Mocking jay, Catching Fire. Take ALL FREE (Nextdoor Glenshire) - I recently contacted Omar to do a cleanup of tree fallen after last week's storm.
They were SO nice and SO prompt and did a wonderful job for a very fair price. HIGHLY recommend Omar's Lawn Care Landscaping Tree Servise (Nextdoor The Ponds of Windsor)
- Parkland College posted a job opening for Professional Development Community Education Instructor in Champaign. Apply here.
- CJ Logistics America posted a job opening for Weekend Overnight Shift Inventory Clerk in Champaign. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Champaign here.
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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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