New Resident Resources

Chambana Welcome Crew

New to Champaign-Urbana or considering a move to our area? Take advantage of our new community ambassador program, the Chambana Welcome Crew. This program is designed to help new and potential Champaign-Urbana area residents navigate their new home, connecting newcomers to one of our knowledgeable Ambassadors serving as a community champion who can authentically share their stories about living and working here. Learn more and connect with an ambassador today!

Champaign-Urbana Community Job Application

There are incredible jobs, fun and free things to do, and friendly people here waiting for you to make the Champaign-Urbana area home. If you’re ready, let us help connect you with all we have to offer by filling out the following forms so we can connect you with jobs in the area as well as our Chambana Welcome Crew, which gets you connected with someone who shares your interests. Get started on this short, easy form to get you connected with employers and our brilliant community ambassadors.

 

Champaign-Urbana Area Jobs

Looking for a job in the community? The Make It Champaign-Urbana Job Board provides the most comprehensive look at all of the openings available in Champaign County. Sign-up for alerts based on your desired job search, or get all jobs sent directly to your email. 

Virtual Tour

Check out our virtual map tour of the greater Champaign-Urbana area, featuring attractions, major parks and forest preserves, as well as business districts.

Videos

Champaign-Urbana. Brilliant.

Music Scene

Outside of Ordinary Memories

Maker Videos

• Prairie Fire Glass
• Hopscotch Bakery & Market
• Wood N' Hog
• Riggs Beer Company
• The Great Pumpkin Patch
• Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
• Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

Community Resources

Neighborhood Services

Get connected to our area neighborhood associations and homeowner's associations, provided by the cities of Champaign & Urbana.

Grocery, Markets & Specialty Stores

Not sure where to find those ingredients for that family recipe? Or want a list of area farmer's markets & CSAs? We've got you covered. Download our list of area specialty stores so you can find everything you need to create those delicious home-cooked meals.

Healthcare

With multiple hospital systems, clinics, counselors, and specialists, Champaign-Urbana has your healthcare needs covered. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District developed these resources to help connect you to knowledgeable and accessible healthcare providers.

Area Schools

If you need help finding information on the schools, both public and private, in the Champaign-Urbana area, look no further than the experts on all things kids, ChambanaMoms.com. You can also download information from the following school districts:

• Champaign Unit 4
• Urbana District 116

Public Libraries

Our public libraries are filled with community resources and programs to assist residents in our area. Get your library card and access the resources available at these institutions throughout the greater Champaign-Urbana area.

• Champaign Public Library 
• Urbana Free Library
• Tolono Public Library
• Mahomet Public Library
• Rantoul Public Library
• St. Joseph Township–Swearingen Memorial Library
• Arcola Public Library
• Tuscola Public Library
• Arthur Public Library
• Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library
• Allerton Public Library
• Homer Community Library
• Sidney Community Library
• Philo Public Library
• Paxton Carnegie Library

Accessibility

The University of Illinois has long been a leader in disability resources. Several of the innovations that have come from over 50 years of advocating for accessibility include research that led to the development of the first architectural accessibility standards that would become the American National Standards Institute Standards, the first wheelchair-accessible fixed route bus system, the first accessible university residence halls, and the first collegiate adapted sports and recreation program for students with disabilities, which also produced the first wheelchair athlete in the world to win an Olympic Gold Medal. We partnered with Community Choices and the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to evaluate the accessibility of local businesses to help you make the most of your visit. Access our directory here.

LGBTQIA Resources

Be proud of who you are! There are countless resources, events, and activities for everyone in Champaign-Urbana. One of the best resources is Uniting Pride of Champaign County, an organization that advocates for the equality, wellness, and visibility of LGBTQ communities. In addition to hosting an annual Pride Fest in October, Uniting Pride offers volunteer opportunities, social and support groups, and resources including:

• Affirming Healthcare Practitioner Network
• Affirming Business Network
• Affirming Faith Community Network

Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the best ways to make friends, meet potential employers, and establish yourself in the community. We’ve compiled a list of organizations that are often looking for volunteers. With so many opportunities available, we’re not able to list them all—so don’t hesitate to contact any other groups or event organizers and ask if they are looking for volunteers.

This list is intended as a resource for the entire community. An organization’s inclusion on this list does not necessarily mean endorsement of its mission or projects by Experience Champaign-Urbana. Please contact terrir@experiencecu.org if you have questions.

Illinois Extension

Illinois Extension provides practical translations of cutting-edge research to help people, businesses, and communities find answers to some of the most pressing issues of our modern world. Our work is guided by a desire to create meaningful progress toward addressing a select group of issues, which we call grand challenges. Community involvement and leadership are core skills essential to thriving communities. Many of Extension’s most popular and long-standing programs celebrate community connectedness and the benefits of living in a society that is enabled to facilitate group decisionmaking and implement effective plans. Learn more about their events here.

Area Rotary Organizations

Rotary unites dedicated professionals from the Champaign-Urbana area, surrounding areas, and around the globe with one common goal: to do more good. Our community is served by Rotary District 6490 with seven organizations that meet regularly. Get involved with one of these groups that make significant impacts in our community.

Religious & Cultural Organizations

We've put together a directory of non-Christian religious centers, non-English speaking churches, and cultural resources. For Christian churches, ChurchFinder.com has a comprehensive list with profiles of area churches.

Ready to Learn More About Our Community?

FIll out the form below and share what most interest you and we'll get information out to you that meets your needs.