The Champaign City Council on Aug. 5 approved $1,249,167 in subrecipient agreements to fund fiscal year 2025'26 Blueprint community gun-violence reduction programs, after council members praised staff and partner organizations for their work.

Council members described the allocation as part of an ongoing effort to sustain violence-prevention work started during the pandemic and to transition to a longer-term, local funding model. Council member Pianfetti said the staff work on the program showed "intentionality and the thoughtfulness that went in." Council member Shannon thanked the finance department for preserving funding as ARPA dollars ended: "I want to thank whoever it is in our finance department that has managed to make sure that we have the funding, that it continues as ARPA dollars go away."

The funding approvals authorize the city manager to execute subrecipient agreements for the following allocations: First Followers — $442,794; Champaign County YMCA (doing business as the Stevens Family Y) — $224,373; East Central Illinois Youth for Christ — $70,000; Don Moyer's Boys and Girls Club — $50,000; Housing Authority of Champaign County YouthBuild — $150,000; Carle Foundation Hospital — $200,000; Crime Stoppers — $57,000; and STEAM Genius — $55,000. The council voted 8-0 on the measure.

Council members and staff also addressed why some organizations were not included in the funded list. An Equity and Engagement staff member said that some organizations remain collaborative partners though they did not receive directly funded awards: "For Dream, we've worked with Dream in the past, and they've built a lot of capacity...they've secured significant amount of funding through the state to continue their programming." The staffer added that one group, referenced as CU Try in the discussion, had sent a letter in May stating it would not continue with the Blueprint because "their program alignment didn't match ours."

During discussion council members repeatedly thanked Equity and Engagement staff, the city manager, and community partners for continuing the program and building organizational capacity. Deputy Mayor emphasized the city's commitment to sustaining the work even as federal ARPA funds wind down: "We're still making the commitment because we know that the work needs to continue."

Action: motion to authorize the subrecipient agreements carried 8-0. The vote record on the council roll call was: Claiborne 'yes; Gladney 'yes; Kyles 'yes; Pianfetti 'yes; Pollock 'yes; Shannon 'yes; Williams 'yes; Mayor Feynon 'yes.

The council did not attach additional conditions to the awards during the meeting. Staff said partner coordination and referrals to non-funded organizations will continue as needed.

Council and staff commentary signaled that Blueprint is an ongoing program; members noted prior steps taken to preserve local funding streams and that some partners have obtained other funding sources, which affects award decisions going forward.