Interim Deputy Police Chief Geoff Coon sits down with us to share how a chance internship led to his career in law enforcement, what he does in the department, and why the Champaign Police Department is a good destination for both new recruits and officers transferring from other jurisdictions. He tells us that most police officers are drawn to the profession because of the opportunity to help others. The connection to the community is a priority of the Champaign Police Department. Without their help, successful investigations would be much more difficult. Crime Stoppers is one program that helps the community reduce crime by allowing anonymous tips to law enforcement. DC Coon is a liaison with the organization so he was happy to share a little information about the program and how the tips summited have helped the Champaign Police Department solve crimes committed in the community.

You can find more information about becoming a Champaign Police Officer at https://champaignil.gov/police/recruitment/

You may have seen City employee Nichole Millage’s name in the news when she returned from the Tokyo Paralympics as a gold medalist in the sitting volleyball event last summer. The City is not only proud of what this four-time Paralympian has done on the court, but also for what she does every day for our residents. With almost ten years of experience as the Environmental Sustainability Specialist at the Public Works Department, Nichole heads up the City’s recycling efforts across the city. In the latest episode of the Champaign City Profiles podcast, you can hear from Nichole about the benefits of the City’s recycling program, why she chose to come back home to Champaign, and how her Paralympic experience has helped her come together as a team with her co-workers.

You can find more information about the City's recycling program, the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection, and the Residential Electronics Collection Events at champaignil.gov/recycling.

From intern to full time employee, Deonte Young is the newest addition to the City of Champaign's IT Department. In this episode of Champaign City Profiles, Deonte talks about what he does, the benefits of interning at the City, and how he has grown and learned from working with his colleagues in the department. He also expresses how, not only are we all employees of the City trying to make life better for the residents, but we are also part of this community. We are your friends and neighbors. It is good to have Deonte on board in our IT Department.

Adonis Fuller is the first Purchasing and Compliance Specialist here at the City of Champaign. This newly created position oversees compliance with the City of Champaign Diversity Advancement Program (CDAP). The CDAP program encourages City departments, contractors, and other vendors doing business with the City to increase the amount of goods and services provided by local businesses owned by minorities, women, and other socially and economically disadvantaged groups.In this episode of Champaign City Profiles, Adonis explains the benefits of the CDAP program, how to get on the Certified CDAP Vendor List, and how he works with all the departments in the City to use that list when seeking bids on City projects. He also touches on his background and why he likes working for the City of Champaign.

You can find out more information about the CDAP program at champaignil.gov/CDAP

Parking, Recycling, Spokesperson, and the LGBTQ+ Liaison to the City Manager; Kris Koester does it all as the Administrative Services Manager & Public Information Officer for Public Works.

In this episode we talk with Kris about his duties managing the Parking, Recycling and Administrative Support Staff at Public Works. Then he goes into his role as Public Information Officer, the part of the job that scared him the most when he started, but it has turned out to be one of the most rewarding. Kris then finishes with an explanation of his role as the LGBTQ+ liaison to the City Manager, where he has helped to make changes to the City Code and advised leadership on how to make Champaign a more inclusive community.

The Voice on the Other End of the Line

When you call 911, it is one of our Telecommunicators who picks up that phone. On this episode we talk with Brent Daugherty, a twelve-year veteran of answering and dispatching emergency calls for service. He talks about how his work has an impact on residents in their time of need, what it is like to be on the other end of an emergency call, and what you need to know when calling 911.

It is a difficult but rewarding job. If you are interested in a career where you can help people every day, the City is looking for people to join Brent and the other Telecommunicators at MetCAD. You can find more information on the City’s website at champaignil.gov/jobs

What does a Zoning Administrator do?

In this week’s episode of Champaign City Profiles we talk with Ben LeRoy, the new Zoning Administrator for the City of Champaign. If you have questions about Zoning Districts, Fences, Signs, or anything Zoning related he is the one to talk to.

In our discussion, Ben answers some of the most asked questions from city residents, he talks about his career working for the City of Champaign, and he also tells us about his work as the City’s Campaign Coordinator for the Champaign County Combined Charities Campaign, a workplace giving campaign run by the United Way.

In this episode we talk with Mary Catherine Roberson, the Community Relations Specialist in the Office of Equity, Community and Human Rights. She gives us some insight into what she does, how her previous experience has helped with her current position, and how her work makes a difference in the lives of the people of Champaign.

Alison Davis Wood talks with Champaign Fire Chief Gary Ludwig about his path to becoming a firefighter, his rise to Chief, what it is like to be a part of the Fire Department family, and what the Fire Department mean to the City of Champaign. Chief Ludwig also shares what he and his family do for fun outside of work.