Champaign hosting info sessions on tax levy referendum

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Champaign Township will host two information sessions in the coming days to educate the public on the upcoming ballot referendum regarding a property tax levy.

The info sessions will be hosted by the Champaign Public Library on Friday and Saturday. The first will take place at 12:30 p.m. in the Robeson Pavilion room at the library’s main branch — 200 West Green Street. The second will take place at 11 a.m. at the Douglass Park branch.

If the levy referendum is approved, officials said the township will generate an additional $4 million in revenue annually. This revenue will be primarily utilized to fund the township’s low-barrier homeless shelter Strides, increasing staffing levels and adding street outreach and programs to assist guests in acquiring permanent housing.

The additional revenue will also be used to expand the township’s General Assistance Program for people applying for Social Security disability and the Rental Assistance Program, along with funding additional staffing in the Township Assessor’s office.

“This additional funding is greatly needed to ensure that the Township can maintain this vital community safety net, the Strides homeless shelter,” Kyle Patterson, City of Champaign Township Supervisor said. “Without Strides, over 70 residents of our community will not have a safe place to sleep at night. What we are providing is a lifeline for some of our community’s most vulnerable members.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.