Jaya Kolisetty for Urbana City Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Incident Location: 1002 South Race Street, Urbana
Date/Time of Press Release: November 7, 2022 10:30 AM
Date/Time of Incident: November 7, 2022 7:00 AM

TERRORISTIC THREATS IMPACTING URBANA HIGH SCHOOL & URBANA MIDDLE SCHOOL

On November 7, 2022, at about 7 AM, staff at UHS contacted The Urbana High School Police School Resource Officer concerning a threat from an unknown person who called the school’s office. The caller mentioned that he was going to kill students by shooting them at the high school. He also mentioned pipe bombs. Urbana Police Officers responded to the scene to make contact with school officials. Throughout the next hour, several additional calls were made by an unknown male and female caller from different numbers, with similar terroristic threats. Out of an abundance of caution, the decision was made to cancel classes at UMS and UHS for the day, pending verifying the validity of the threats and investigation. UHS was immediately put on lockdown. Students, staff and buses that were en route, were re-directed to the predetermined reunification site. During the course of the incident, police later learned that a message was also left on the voicemail of the middle school by an unknown offender with similar threats.

Law Enforcement Officials from Urbana Police, University of Illinois Police, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office and The Illinois Secretary of State Police all responded to assist in the evacuation of students. Explosive Detecting Canines and law enforcement officials are currently securing the schools. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Urbana Police are working together to gather additional facts and investigate this issue further.

Urbana Police ask that anyone who has additional information or video footage of the incident please contact police at 217-384-2320. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477 (TIPS); online at 373tips.com; or the “P3 Tips” mobile app.

Citizens are reminded that information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Calls are routed to a third-party national call center that receives your information, completes a tips information form, and then passes the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is
not utilized by Crime Stoppers and conversations are not recorded.

Crime Stoppers will pay cash rewards of $5,000 for tips that lead to an arrest in any homicide case, $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest in a felony crime involving a firearm, and up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for any other crime.

An resident just said that it's "easy peasy" to order your FREE COVID-19 tests! They will be delivered starting in late January: https://www.covidtests.gov/.

Sign-up for yours today!

MUNA folks, the City is having a drop in Zoom meeting tomorrow, Thursday, 12/16 from 6-7pm to get MUNA residents' feedback on the Imagine Urbana comprehensive planning effort. Here's the Meeting information:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9630982483?pwd=VHJHbWFLNmZkZEphODFObDRFSzJKZz09

Meeting ID: 963 098 2483
Passcode: 9630982483
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Hope you can make it! Here's more information about Imagine Urbana: https://imagineurbana.com/

Imagine Urbana Stay informed by joining Imagine Urbana

Do you want automatic license plate readers in Urbana? Ward 4 residents, based on a heat map that was shared by the police department, these devices would likely be put up in our ward. Please listen and weigh in on this important topic.

Sessions will be held tonight and tomorrow at the following times:

- Thursday, 10/28, 5:30-7:30pm at Vineyard Church and livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqXJxlXZFbQ
- Friday, 10/29, 1-3pm at Vineyard Church and live streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YEBM4jBC_s

Today is Indigenous Peoples Day. For those of us in Urbana-Champaign, we should always be cognizant of the people whose land we now occupy - not just today, but every day. The tribes and their forced removal are name in the following land acknowledgment statement created by staff at the Native American House at the University of Illinois.

"I/We would like to begin today by recognizing and acknowledging that we are on the lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasaw Nations. These lands were the traditional territory of these Native Nations prior to their forced removal; these lands continue to carry the stories of these Nations and their struggles for survival and identity.

As a land-grant institution, the University of Illinois has a particular responsibility to acknowledge the peoples of these lands, as well as the histories of dispossession that have allowed for the growth of this institution for the past 150 years. We are also obligated to reflect on and actively address these histories and the role that this university has played in shaping them. This acknowledgement and the centering of Native peoples is a start as we move forward for the next 150 years."

https://chancellor.illinois.edu/land_acknowledgement.html

Goodbye, Columbus? Here's what Indigenous Peoples' Day means to Native Americans A growing movement recasts Oct. 11 as a day to appreciate the diversity and history of Indigenous communities. That visibility, say Native Americans, can help us see what else needs to change.

Glad that no one was hurt in this incident. It's alarming to see the gun violence in our community continue to rise and to see this directed at the people who so often are the ones responding to people who are hurt by this violence.

There is a proposal to install automatic license plate readers in Urbana in response to the increase in gun violence in the community. I have thoughts/concerns, but I want to hear from you. Contact information for all Council Members is available here: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/city-council

City Council | City of Urbana The City Council establishes laws for citizen welfare, determines policies that govern providing municipal services and approves certain Mayoral appointments. The City Council is composed of seven members, each elected from a different ward. See Ward Map The Committee of the Whole meets twice a mont...

The City Council is set to vote on the new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police at this week’s meeting (https://www.urbanaillinois.us/node/9531). Council Members have been calling for a public presentation on this process since May and this information was finally provided last Monday.

Included in this discussion is a brief overview of the arbitration process that is required for law enforcement contract negotiation under state law. The related arbitration process for law enforcement discipline also greatly limits municipalities’ power to address misconduct. I encourage you to listen to the recording from last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting: https://youtu.be/I1VdfQUzGDo?t=6066 (starting around 3:36:07).

If you listen to Council Input & Communication at the end, you will also hear more regarding frustration related to this process, the general lack of progress on Council priorities, and the blatant disregard for the required public input and Council approval for alternate response models that was included in this year’s budget https://youtu.be/I1VdfQUzGDo?t=12596 (I state my concerns starting around 3:29:26).

For more general information about collective bargaining, the City has also provided the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwWFhS69CnI

City Council Meeting September 13, 2021 - 7:00pm | City of Urbana Submitted by DarcyS on July 28, 2021 - 2:27pm Date: Monday, September 13, 2021 - 19:00Regular Meeting of the Urbana City Council. * Pursuant to the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation and the Declaration of Emergency for the City of Urbana, Illinois related to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordanc...

20 years later, the horror of the attacks on 9/11 and the bravery of the first responders is still so vivid. Today is a day of remembrance for the thousands who lost their lives that day and in the wars that followed.

I'm listening. You can still join!

The Champaign County Board is holding study sessions on tackling community violence & affordable housing in our community!

🚨 Your input is important! 🚨

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82394946050?pwd=Wm5BdGhWeGhFTmRFKzlWSkJycFJKdz09

Webinar ID: 823 9494 6050
Passcode: 324890

COVID-19 cases are rising. Please do your part to help keep our community safe by getting vaccinated if you can. Vaccines are still available and they are free.

There is NO PRESSURE and NO JUDGMENT to simply come and talk with health professionals about the COVID-19 vaccine. Call 217-352-7961. https://www.c-uphd.org/

Welcome back! This moment brought to you thanks to COVID-19 vaccines. For information about vaccine appointments, please visit the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District's website: https://www.c-uphd.org/covid-vaccinations.html

It's Juneteenth, everyone! Thanks to the efforts of our community members, there are lots of great ways to celebrate in CU this year!
https://www.chambanamoms.com/2021/06/06/juneteenth-champaign-urbana/

The City has proposed a budget for the coming fiscal year, which will start July 1st. You voice matters! There will be a public hearing this coming Monday, June 7th and contact information for all Council Members can be found here: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/city-council

More information from the official notice is included below:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE URBANA CITY COUNCIL

Notice is hereby given that the proposed annual budget for the City of Urbana in the County of Champaign, State of Illinois, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, is on file and conveniently available for public inspection on the City’s web site (https://www.urbanaillinois.us/departments/finance/financial-reports/annual-budget).

Notice is further given that a public hearing on said proposed annual budget will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, June 7, 2021. Estimated revenues for the proposed budget for fiscal year 2021/22 are $53.4 million and estimated expenditures are $58.7 million. All interested persons are invited to watch the hearing on UPTV, livestream the hearing at https://livestream.com/urbana or attend virtually via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88618041036. Persons attending the hearing shall have the right to provide written and oral comments and suggestions regarding the proposed annual budget. Instructions on providing comments at the hearing will be posted on the City’s website on June 3, 2021.

FY 2021-2022 Proposed Budget | City of Urbana City of Urbana 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, IL 61801 Public Works Department 706 South Glover Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802 Copyright © 2021 City of Urbana

On this somber holiday, this is an opportunity to reflect on our history and the many lives that have been lost.

8 Things You May Not Know About Memorial Day From its Civil War origins to its modern-day traditions, find out more about America’s most solemn holiday.

Your voices matter. You can find contact information for all of us here: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/city-council

Your Urbana City Council
The City of is proud to present your City Council. We thank and salute these professionals who have committed themselves to public service.

I was proud to see 4 of our current Council Members, our Mayor, and members of our County government join community leaders in support of voters' rights yesterday!

Our new Council will be sworn in tonight at 6pm in a special meeting. You can join us using the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83751019607. Then we'll jump right into our first Committee of the Whole meeting!

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

All votes have now been counted and the results will be certified tomorrow. I am honored to have this opportunity to serve Ward 4 and all of Urbana. I am grateful to the residents of Ward 4, my family, friends, and everyone who helped during this run. I would also like to thank my opponent for a thoughtful and respectful race.

For more information about the results of the local elections, you can find a simplified breakdown on WCIA's website: https://www.wcia.com/april-6th-consolidated-election-results/

For a full list of the results, please visit the County Clerk's website: https://ccco-results.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/2021/docs/april/SUMMARY.TXT

Vaccine Availability Update from CUPHD!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), in partnership with Carle Health, OSF HealthCare, Christie Clinic, Promise Healthcare, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will be hosting community-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics for anyone 16 years of age or older who has not yet received their first dose of the vaccine. It is important to note that while eligibility guidelines will include residents age 16 or older, each vaccination site may vary based on manufacturer’s approval. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are currently available for individuals age 18 and older while Pfizer is available for those age 16 and older.
COVID-19 vaccination appointments are still limited and will remain in high demand until more supply becomes available. Vaccination clinics for the week of April 12, 2021 will be available by appointment only at the following locations:
Promise Healthcare, 819 Bloomington Road, Champaign.
To register:
• Call the COVID Care line at: (217) 403-5402.
• Individuals will need to register as a patient.
Kohl’s Plaza:
• Those interested in receiving their vaccination at Kohl’s Plaza in Champaign should request to be notified of available appointments online at: https://tinyurl.com/CarleCCvax.
Pharmacies:
• Visit www.vaccinefinder.org for available COVID-19 vaccination appointments at local pharmacies.
Additional notes:
In most cases, you will receive your second dose where you received your first. Follow instructions on scheduling your second dose from the site.
Appointments are available on a first come, first served basis. There will not be a waitlist; however, additional appointments will be available next week based on vaccine availability.
You cannot receive the COVID vaccine if you have received any other vaccinations within 14 days prior to your appointment. You may be asked to show an ID for verification of employment.
Patients will need to wear a face covering, practice social distancing, and plan to allow at least 15 minutes for observation after the vaccination. Please limit the number of individuals in your party that are not receiving the vaccine and wear clothing to allow easy access to the upper portion of the arm for the injection.
The vaccine itself is free but providers may seek appropriate reimbursement from the recipient’s plan or program (e.g., private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid) for a vaccine administration fee. You will not be turned away if you do not have insurance or charged the balance of the bill for the vaccine. If you have questions about your specific coverage, please call the number on the back of your insurance card.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccination. Information can be found at: http://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccine-faq.
Additional information on COVID-19 vaccinations can be found at: https://www.c-uphd.org/covid-vaccinations.html.
# # #

Champaign County COVID-19 Vaccination Information - CUPHD 3/29/2021 UPDATE: There were a limited number of first dose appointments available through community partners for this week, but they are now full.

A few more mail in ballots have been counted and more will be counted on Monday. I appreciate folks being patient as we see this process play out.

I will be picking up my signs, so don't worry if they disappear.

Thanks again for all the support and meaningful conversations throughout this campaign. I'm ready to get to work for Ward 4!

Looks like it may be a while before the counting is finished. I appreciate the clarification offered in a comment that it is NORMAL and required for there to be a 2-week period after the election for mail in vote counting. According to the Champaign County Clerk's twitter page, the 83% that have been reported are everything except for, "the outstanding vote by mail and provisional ballots to be counted." We're on track. Just hang in there for the official results!

Ammons: 'We're still trying to sort out exactly what happened' with website “I haven’t seen or heard anything from my IT folks that would make me think that we were under attack or anything like that,” Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons said.

Hi folks! We are still waiting on the official results. Here's where things stand.

Thank you to everyone who voted!

Source: https://www.wcia.com/april-6th-consolidated-election-results/

Started my day with a safe, convenient, and meaningful voting experience. Polls are open until 7pm!

Tomorrow, April 6th, is election day!

You can still early vote today and polls are open at 6am-7pm tomorrow!

Many Ways to Vote | Champaign County Clerk Illinois is a leader on voting rights and the Clerk's Office is committed to ensuring every eligible voter in Champaign County has a fair, free, and accessible election. VOTE BY MAIL - the application process is open now. Request your ballot here, no reason is needed to vote by mail. For more info o...

Want to learn a bit more about me before the election next week? Check it out!

Indivisible Illinois and NWSOFA's interview of Jaya Kolisetty running for Urbana City Council Ward 4 Indivisible Illinois and NWSOFA's interview of Jaya Kolisetty running for Urbana City Council Ward 4Campaign Website: https://www.jayakolisetty.com/General e...

One more week to vote! Thanks Champaign County Young Democrats for your endorsement and for helping spread the word about April 6th!

Thanks for your support!

Hey neighbors! The Ward 4 City Council Candidate Forum is live! You can hear both of us respond to key questions!

Urbana - Ward 4 Alderperson - Candidate Forum - 2021 Candidate Forum for Urbana Alderperson - Ward 4 for the April 6, 2021 consolidated election.Early voting AVAILALBE NOW!Forum co-sponsored by the League of Wo...

This is a fun way to honor International Women's Day and directly relates to my goals for Urbana. As we think about creating better infrastructure in Urbana, we need to ensure that we are considering all forms of transportation. Urbana passed a resolution last year to adopt the Vision Zero goal of "Reducing Loss of Life or Serious Injury to Zero on Our Transportation System by 2030." A strategy for implementing this vision needs to be part of our new comprehensive plan.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY TOGETHER WE RIDE 2021: A bike ride for equality, inclusion and change. International Women’s Day Together We Ride 2021 Saturday, March 6th through Monday, March 8th Use YOUR VOICE with the bike as a medium for equity, unity and change. Ride for INC…

This is a lot of info, but it's important!

Want to know more about the candidates for Ward 4 and other important races? Check on the new responses to the candidates Q&A from the Champaign County Voters Alliance: http://votechampaign.org/guide.php

Voter Information Guide - VoteChampaign Get informed & find out who is running in Champaign County. Local votes matter!

The League of Women Voters of Champaign County and the NAACP of Champaign County are hosting this series so that voters can hear from the candidates. There is still time to submit a question for the Ward 4 candidates! I look forward to hearing your questions!

I heard from a lot of residents about the need for better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as motorized vehicles, while distributing signs this weekend. Addressing these concerns needs to be part of the new comprehensive plan that will be drafted under the new Council.

Racial justice efforts cannot stop with police reform. Some of our local organizations are creating space to talk about what we can all be doing to support Black girls.

Black girls desperately need our attention. 28% of Black girls have had serious thoughts of su***de, and 1/8 have attempted su***de. Nearly 50% of Black girls report they have felt so sad or hopeless that they have stopped doing usual activities. Join us for this important conversation about improving the lives of Black girls in our community.

Friday March 5th 5:30-7:00pm. Click this zoom link to join the meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92964173153

This initiative is a collaboration between Dream Girls Academy Champaign Unit 4 Schools Center for Family and Community Engagement, and Rattle the Stars.

My signs are in! Let me know if you want one!

If you want to help my campaign, I could still use donations too: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7HUB7C9YCUKSE

As a state, we are leading the way. Let's be a city that is at the forefront of change! There is still a lot we can do at the local level!

The League of Women Voters of Champaign County is hosting a series of forums with candidates for the April 6th general election. You can submit a question for any of the candidates here:

Ask The Candidates Use the form below to submit question(s) to be asked at the upcoming LWVCC Local Election Candidate Forums. This year's Forums are recorded in advance and then made available to the public beginning...