Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How much will Central and Centennial lunches now cost families?

Spotted on the Champaign calendar: Cocktail Flight Night at Hound's Court!

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Good morning Champaign! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How much will Central and Centennial lunches now cost families?
  • Who qualifies for Champaign's newly expanded LIHEAP utility assistance?
  • How does UIUC tuition compare to other Illinois public universities?

Also on today's calendar: Happy Hour - Drink Specials & Catnip! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, with a high of 86 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: A thunderstorm in spots, temps: high: 88, low: 66.
  • Friday: Warm with clouds and sun, with a high of 86 and low of 66 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. What Unit 4's Lunch Change Means (foxillinois.com) — Champaign Unit 4 has stopped using a federal program that made meals free for all students at Central and Centennial, meaning many high school families must pay again while elementary and middle schoolers still eat free. District leaders say finances and state guidance drove the move, but emphasize that every student will be fed and encourage families to apply for free or reduced-price meals or contact food services for help.
   

2. LIHEAP expands eligibility for certain Champaign County households (wandtv.com) — Champaign County residents struggling with power bills can soon apply for expanded LIHEAP assistance, with seniors, disabled residents, families with young children, and those facing disconnection prioritized. In-person appointments for October-eligible households open Sept. 21 at the Champaign LIHEAP office and Rantoul center, with broader online scheduling starting Nov. 1 and funding available on a first-come basis into 2027.
   

3. Champaign County's published in-state tuition and required fees were $16,004 in 2024-25 (chambanasun.com) — Students in Champaign attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign face in-state tuition and required fees of $16,004 for 2024–25, unchanged from last year. The article compares this cost with other Illinois counties and national averages, giving local families context on how UIUC pricing stacks up against public universities across the country.
   

4. 'This monster has received his full due': closure in murder case of Champaign teen who inspired Steven's Law (wcia.com) — A Champaign family is finding some closure after the man who killed 14-year-old Steven Butler III received a 40-year prison sentence. Their case has also inspired "Steven's Law," a proposed Illinois bill that would stop police from labeling missing minors as runaways and instead treat them as endangered, triggering broader alerts and support during searches.
   

5. VA awards $38M in grants to fight veteran homelessness (wandtv.com) — Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Champaign will see more support after the VA awarded part of a $39 million Illinois grant package to The Salvation Army in Champaign. The funding, part of a record national investment, will bolster housing and supportive services alongside similar efforts in Danville, Springfield, and Bloomington.
   

📸 Around Champaign

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Free Iris bulbs on the curb at 606 Bellerieve Dr Champaign.
    The shorter variety is yellow and the taller variety is purple. Enjoy! (Nextdoor Timberline & Westlake Sub)
  • I would like someone to help me with the Canteen Run snacks.
    It's something that you put sandwiches into. It's a volunteer group that we are looking for. The Canteen Run is a volunteer group that goes out… (Nextdoor Morrissey Park)
  • Stephens Family YMCA posted a job opening for Custodian/Janitor - Weekend Work is MANDATORY in Champaign. Apply here.
  • Niemann Foods, Inc. posted a job opening for Niemanns Grocery Stocker 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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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