Observer Corps
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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. |
New Video! Annual Observer Report!
Each year the LWVCC Observer Corps makes a report to the League. Below is a video of this year's report from a April 21, 2021 meeting. Send comments or questions to Observer team lead Deb Rugg at Debrugg@aol.com
Current Observers
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Champaign County Forest Preserve Observer: Ed Roy
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Champaign Library Board Observer: Natalie Frankenberg
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Regional Planning Commission Observer: Nancy Morse
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U-C Sanitary District Observer: Trisha Crowley
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Urbana Plan Commission Observer: Karen Fresco
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Urbana Civilian Police Review Board Observer: Vacant (Sarah Nixon attends as community member.)
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Village of Rantoul's Human Relations Committee Observer: Sarah Nixon
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Observer Report: Village of Rantoul's Human Relations Committee (report not yet available)
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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.
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>
Champaign Plan Commission Observer: <vacant>
Champaign Mental Heath Board Observer: <vacant>
Champaign Unit 4 School Board Observer: <vacant>
County Board Observer: <vacant>
County Board of Health Observer: <vacant>
Housing Authority of Champaign County Observer: <vacant>
Parkland College District 505 Observer: <vacant>
Urbana City Council Observer: <vacant>
Urbana Free Library Board Observer: <vacant>
Urbana Board of Education Observer: <vacant>
Urbana Park District Observer: <vacant>
- 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7:00 pm
- City Council
- Videos
- Minutes
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
Parkland College District 505 Observer: <vacant>
- 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 pm
- Meeting schedule and board books
- Meeting Minutes
Urbana City Council Observer: <vacant>
- 1st and 3rd Mondays, 7:30 pm
- City Council
- Agenda, Packets
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
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.
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
Questions About Observer Corps?
Contact Observer Corps Manager Debbie Rugg at: debrugg@aol.com
