Champaign Township adopts 2025–26 budget amid heated questions about Strides shelter oversight

The City of Champaign Township board approved the fiscal year 2025–26 annual budget and appropriation ordinance after a public hearing and extended public comment about the township-operated low-barrier shelter Strides and related staffing and transparency issues.

The board voted 8–1 to adopt Ordinance 205901, the annual budget and appropriation ordinance, after closing the public hearing on the proposed budget. Chairperson Feynon called the roll for the ordinance vote; the minutes record board member Kyles Pinfetti, Pollock, Shannon, Williams, Claiborne, Fulmer and Chairperson Feynon voting “yes,” board member Gladney voting “no,” producing an 8–1 outcome.

The vote followed nearly two hours of public comment and board discussion focused largely on Strides, the county’s low-barrier shelter that the township currently operates. Multiple nonprofit leaders and service providers urged continued funding for the shelter while also pressing for program changes, clearer oversight and partnership across community agencies.

Katie Harmon, coordinator of the Continuum of Service Providers to the Homeless, told the board the Continuum’s executive committee “is committed to a low barrier shelter in our community as an essential tool for public health and safety” and said the group had voted to support the township through a six-month “revisioning and rebuilding plan” with benchmarks, monthly reporting and an offer to help coordinate a…