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🌱 Patch AM: Which Champaign restaurants just turned past violations into clean bills?

Happening soon: Jingle Bell Rock Small Business Show on the Champaign Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 16th Patch AM
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Hi there, Champaign! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Champaign restaurants just turned past violations into clean bills?
  • Why Champaign police need a brand-new fuel island by 2026
  • Are you in the South Neil boil zone today?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer and 3 more events.

Find out what's happening in Champaignfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Champaign? Post it to Champaign photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Champaignfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 36 and low of 27 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Freezing fog in the morning, temps: high: 38, low: 32.
  • Thursday: Windy with rain, then cooler, with a high of 49 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. CUPHD Food Inspection Report: December 8 (wixy.com) — If you’re eating out in Champaign this week, both SGD on Sixth Street and Sushi Man on North Prospect passed their latest health inspections with green placards after previously cited issues were fixed. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department explains how its green, yellow, and red ratings work so diners can quickly gauge a restaurant’s food safety record.
   

2. City of Champaign seeks design proposals for new police station fuel island (chambanasun.com) — The City of Champaign is asking engineering firms to submit Letters of Interest to design a new fuel island at the police station, with work expected to start in early 2026. Officials will use a qualification-based process to pick a firm, aiming to upgrade critical fueling infrastructure that keeps police vehicles ready to respond across the community.
   

3. Main break leads to boil order for South Neil businesses (news-gazette.com) — Businesses along South Neil Street in Champaign, from Kirby to Devonshire, are under a boil order after a water main break, with repairs expected to take six to eight hours. Illinois American Water says customers should boil water for five minutes before drinking or cooking, though it remains safe for bathing and general use.
   

4. 'It's easy to say no sometimes, but say yes just to see where it takes you' (news-gazette.com) — A longtime rural Champaign farmer, John Reifsteck, has been honored with the Illinois Farm Bureau’s top service award for his decades of innovation and leadership, including work with NASA and NOAA using data from his Champaign County farm. The piece also notes new internal promotions in Champaign Unit 4 schools, fresh leadership for the county’s retired teachers, and workforce training that included classes in Champaign.
   

5. Champaign Co. Film Office talks enhancements to Illinois Film Production Tax Credit (wandtv.com) — Enhanced Illinois film tax credits could bring more movie and TV projects directly to Champaign County, adding jobs and spending at local businesses. The Champaign County Film Office and Film Champaign-Urbana are actively courting productions with location scouting help, crew connections, and support services to showcase the area’s studios, sound stage, and diverse filming locations.
   

📸 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!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Wednesday December 17
  • Sweary Coloring with Cats @The Scratching Post!
    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
    8:30 pm
    • Saturday December 20
  • Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
    Orpheum Champaign , 346 N Neil St , Champaign
    6:30 pm
  • Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
    The Orpheum Champaign 346 North Neil Street Champaign, Illinois 61820
    8:45 pm
    • Monday December 22
  • Open interviews
    Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W Kirby Ave , Champaign
    9:00 am
    • Friday December 26
  • Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
    The Orpheum Champaign 346 North Neil Street Champaign, Illinois 61820
    8:45 pm

📣 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

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Many thanks to the kind neighbor who cleared the snow from the sidewalks along Cherry Creek and Copper Tree!!!
    Ditto from Andy, our dog who needs a walk as often as we can manage. I have also seen that other blocks have had multiple sidewalks cleared by other… (Nextdoor Cherry Hills)
  • Moore’ Rescue Ranch is having a fundraiser at Fannie Mae (402 S Neil St Champaign), on Sunday, December 21st from 1pm to 5pm.
    They will receive 30% of the proceeds. Kittens will be available to pet & cuddle. Come out to support Moore’s, see some kittens and buy lots of… (Nextdoor Timberline & Westlake Sub)
  • SAS Retail Services posted a job opening for Retail Stocking/Shelving Merchandiser in Champaign. Apply here.
  • Simos posted a job opening for Warehouse Material Handler 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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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