Observer Corps

League Observers are the eyes and ears of the League. By attending meetings of governmental boards and commissions. the League of Women Voters tries to send a representative to every public board meeting in the county.  We find that public involvement in our public institutions is an important part of making democracy work.  We want to know what our governing officials are up to! 

With advent of the need to maintain social distance, many of these meetings are being held online.  Observers learn how government works and about issues that are or may become items for local study and action. They advise the LWVCC board of opportunities for action on League positions. Consistent League presence at these boards can add to the League's visibility and credibility and build relationships with local officials. League observing promotes transparent and responsive government in the community. ​

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Current Observers

Champaign Library Board     Observer: Natalie  Frankenberg

• Board of Trustees page
• Minutes and agendas - including audio 

Champaign Park District     Observer: Jean Flood

• Main page
• Meeting agendas and minutes 

C-U Mass Transit District     Observer: Deb Rugg

• Board 
• Meetings 
• Video

Regional Planning Commission     Observer: Nancy Morse

• Commissioners and upcoming meetings
• Past meetings and meeting documents 

U-C Sanitary District     Observer: Trisha Crowley

•  Board of Trustees
• Agenda, minutes, packet

Urbana Plan Commission     Observer: Karen Fresco

• Agenda, minutes, videos

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Needs for Future Observers 

​The League is seeking observers for the following governmental groups in Champaign County.  Nothing beats having a human presence at a governmental meeting. Many League observers report that authorities notice when the League is there and that it makes a difference.   To discuss what's involved, send an email to: info@lwvchampaigncounty.org with "Observer Corps" in the title. 

​However, the  public can also monitor our government online because many government bodies now make their agenda, minutes and even videos of meetings available online. Below is a list of links to this information. It will be amended from time to time, as more governmental links are available. You can use this information to check out the activities of these entities and perhaps consider becoming an Observer.

Champaign City Council      Observer:  <vacant>

• 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7:00 pm
• City Council 
• Videos
• Minutes

Champaign County Forest Preserve     Observer: <vacant>

• Board of Commissioners 
• Board meeting minutes and staff reports 

  
Champaign Plan Commission     Observer:  <vacant>

• 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 4:00 pm
• Plan Commission
• Agendas, Reports, Minutes 

Champaign Mental Heath Board     Observer:  <vacant>

• Wednesday after 3rd Monday, 5:30 pm
• General information 
• Mental Health Board

Champaign Unit 4  School Board      Observer:  <vacant>

• 2nd Monday, 5:30 pm
• Champaign Unit 4 School Board
• Videos
• Minutes

County Board      Observer:  <vacant>

• Thursday following 3rd Monday, 6:30 pm
• ​Meetings   Meetings are live streamed  here.   Recordings of prior meetings are posted on the County Clerk's YouTube Channel.
• Agendas, packets
• County Board Meeting Minutes are posted under County Board on the County Clerk's website.

County Board of Health     Observer:  <vacant>

• Meets 4 times a year, day varies, 4:30 pm 
• County Board of Health
• Meeting schedule
• Meetings information
• Main page

Housing Authority of Champaign County     Observer:  <vacant>

• 4th Thursday, 3:00 pm
• Main page
• Documents, board packets 

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Parkland College District 505     Observer:  <vacant>

• 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 pm
• Meeting schedule and board books
• Meeting Minutes 

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Urbana City Council      Observer:  <vacant>

• 1st and 3rd Mondays, 7:30 pm
• City Council
• Agenda, Packets

Urbana Park District      Observer:  <vacant>

• 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
• Urbana Park District 
• Videos - UPD monthly board meetings are taped and broadcast on UPTV, channel 6. See the UPTV broadcast schedule.
• Public meetings agendas and materials -  Go to this documents link and pull down the menu item. 

 
Urbana Free Library Board       Observer:  <vacant>

• 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
• Board - Meetings links are at the bottom of the page. 
• Annual calendar - http://www.co.champaign.il.us/cal/2020annualcal.pdf
• Videos

Urbana Board of Education     Observer:  <vacant>

• 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 pm
• Urbana Board of Education
• Meeting Schedule
• Agendas and Documents
• Youtube Videos After live broadcast, meeting sare available on UPTV YouTube Channel 

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Other useful links: 

• ​Champaign  County - Links to many county departments, some of which are hard to find . ..  http://www.co.champaign.il.us/HeaderMenu/departments.php
• Observing Your Government In Action by the League of Women Voters  - This is an easy-to-read "how to" resource guide on organizing and conducting observer corps programs. Building on its decades of experience in empowering citizens to monitor local governmental meetings through these programs, the League has compiled best practices about starting and maintaining an observer program. https://www.lwv.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/lwvef_observingyourgovernment.pdf​

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