The Champaign Township Board voted 9-0 on Jan. 7 to place a proposition to increase the township's limiting rate on the consolidated general election ballot on April 1, 2025.

The vote followed a motion by Chairperson Feynon and a second; the board then heard extended comments from residents and board members about how to publicize the referendum and about township homelessness services.

Why it matters: Township officials said the additional levy would help sustain basic township operations and services that residents and board members described as at risk without new revenue. Public commenters and at least two board members pressed the township to be explicit about legal limits on using township funds for campaigning and to prepare outreach and timeline guidance so turnout in an off-cycle election can be improved.

Resident Stuart Levy of southwest Champaign urged the board to "advertise the existence of this" so that more voters would know the measure is on the ballot. "We know the turnout is important, especially in off elections," Levy said.

Board member Fulmer asked whether staff could provide an "info-only memo" that would outline legal authorities, technical steps and timelines for organizing community outreach and for forming an election committee to support the referendum. Several board members said they would help raise awareness but emphasized the difference between what the township can do with public funds and what an independent election committee can do.

The board also placed the summary of expenditures for November 2024 on file by roll call and approved minutes of the Dec. 3 regular meeting and Dec. 7 special meeting earlier in the session.

Compensation ordinance: The board also approved a compensation ordinance governing post-election salaries for the township supervisor and assessor. The supervisor described the proposal as patterned on prior resolutions, saying, "the first 2 years it's 1% and the second 2 years it's 2%." The supervisor also said the increases are set by statute and must be adopted before the election.

Public and board discussion about homelessness and shelter capacity followed the formal votes. Speakers asked for better, regular reporting on how township resources are used to prevent and address homelessness, including counts of people sheltered, outreach to people returning from the justice system, and assistance obtaining IDs and benefits. Board members and staff described recent coordination with neighboring Cunningham and Urbana townships during a winter weather event when some guests were temporarily hotel‑placed because shelter capacity was exceeded.

Neighborhood services staff described working with Cunningham Township and other partners to add hotel rooms under an existing contract and coordinated placements so that people could be sheltered the night they would otherwise have been turned away. Staff said the Continuum of Service Providers for the Homeless (the HUD Continuum of Care for Champaign County) and its winter-sheltering subcommittee coordinate planning for additional bed space.

Board members asked staff to provide clearer data to the board and public at future monthly meetings, including the number of people assisted, how many were connected to benefits, and the limits of township authority in prevention and rehousing efforts.

The board set its next meeting for Feb. 4, 2025 and adjourned.