Champaign Community

Champaign, Illinois (population 67,000; metro area 179,000) lies approximately two hours south of Chicago in east central Illinois. Champaign and its adjoining twin city, Urbana, owe their vibrant college-town atmosphere to the presence of the University of Illinois, a top-ranking public university. Strong academic programs attract outstanding faculty from across the globe and one of the largest international student populations in the country. Champaign is also home to Parkland College, an excellent community college. The city's public schools include two new elementary school buildings. A Catholic high school is the newest addition to a strong parochial school system.

Champaign offers an appealing combination of small-town affordability and ease of access plus the cosmopolitan feel of a larger city with an abundance of cultural and recreational amenities. With its range of park facilities and colorful flower islands dotted across the city, the Champaign Park District has won several national awards. Local educational diversions include a children's science museum and the second largest art museum in Illinois. The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is widely recognized as one of the nation's premier art complexes, hosting a diverse schedule of world-renowned performers. The best popular entertainers, along with Big Ten sports, are featured at the University's Assembly Hall.

A recent renaissance has transformed Champaign's downtown into a popular destination for live music and eclectic dining. Community theatre is thriving, and restoration work is underway on Champaign's historic Virginia Theatre, home to Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival.

While the University is a major force in the community, Champaign gains financial stability from a diverse industrial and economic base. The University's National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and a new research park help provide an environment that is attractive to high technology companies. The twin cities have two of the largest physician clinics outside the Chicago area and are the major provider of medical services in the region.