The Mayor Feinen Podcast

Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen talks with City of Champaign Finance Director Kay Nees about the City’s budget process, how it starts months before adoption, and how the City plans for services, capital projects, and future financial needs.The conversation also covers the City’s major revenue sources, why property tax bills can increase even when the City’s tax rate stays the same, and where residents can find budget information through the City’s transparency portal.

Public Works touches almost every part of daily life in Champaign, and this episode of the Mayor Feinen Podcast gives a closer look at the people behind that work.Mayor Feinen talks with Public Works Director Terry Lusby, Jr., who leads a department of about 110 employees across engineering, operations, and administration. He shares how Public Works manages everything from street repairs and snow plowing to fleet maintenance, traffic signals, parking, street trees, and yard waste collection.With an active winter behind us, Lusby explains how crews prepare months in advance, working 12-hour shifts during storms to keep arterial roads clear first, then neighborhoods. He also talks about what happens when the snow melts, including pothole repairs, street sweeping, and preparing for spring construction projects.Residents are encouraged to report potholes, drainage issues, or streetlight problems through the City’s online work order system or by contacting Public Works directly. Community reports help crews identify and address issues across Champaign’s 300 miles of streets.Watch the video version of this episode on CGTV to learn more about the department and the people who keep Champaign moving year-round.

Council Member Bob Pollett Reflects on His First YearMayor Deb Feinen recently sat down with District 2 Council Member Bob Pollett to talk about his first year on the Champaign City Council.Pollett began serving in May 2025 and said one of the biggest surprises has been learning how much happens behind the scenes in City government. From Public Works operations to Equity and Engagement, he filled the first hundred pages of his notebook with orientation notes alone.He describes part of the council member role as being a “tier one helpdesk” for the City, helping residents connect with the right department and staff. He also shared how his background in IT and union service has shaped his approach to reading council materials carefully and preparing questions in advance.The conversation touches on pedestrian safety and walkability in District 2, the importance of public participation at council meetings, and the joy of recognizing community members through honorary street signs.

In this episode of The Mayor Feinen Podcast, Mayor Deb Feinen sits down with Jeremy Schultz from the Public Works Department to introduce Champaign’s new Brightly Citizen Portal. This new system replaces the former SeeClickFix platform and gives residents an easier, faster way to report issues like potholes, downed trees, parking concerns, and more.Jeremy walks listeners through how the system works, what kinds of issues you can report, and how Brightly helps City staff respond more efficiently. They also discuss the benefits of asset tracking, data-driven decision making, and how residents can stay connected and informed about the services they rely on every day.Whether you’ve used SeeClickFix in the past or are new to reporting city maintenance issues, this episode will get you up to speed on how Brightly is improving service delivery in Champaign.

In the latest episode of the Mayor Feinen Podcast, Mayor Feinen talks with Evan Teplensky, a Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellow working with the City of Champaign. Hear how Evan is applying data and research to help address challenges in local government—and what he’s learned from his time in Champaign. He also shares how he’s contributed to the City’s Downtown Plan through data analysis and community engagement.

In the latest episode of the Mayor Feinen Podcast, Mayor Deb Feinen is joined by Public Works Director Terry Lusby Jr. and Planning & Economic Development Director Bruce Knight for a discussion about the future of Prospect Avenue. They explain how the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and recent bike implementation study align with IDOT’s proposed safety improvements to one of Champaign’s busiest roads. With over 270 crashes in just a few blocks in five years, the conversation highlights how converting the road from four lanes to three could reduce accidents, improve bike and pedestrian safety, and make the corridor more accessible for all users.

In the latest Mayor Feinen Podcast, Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen sat down with Senior Planner Eric VanBuskirk to discuss the ongoing update to Champaign’s Downtown Plan. With the last plan dating back to 2006, this revision aims to address the evolving needs of our city center, especially in the post-COVID landscape. Eric shared insights into the extensive community engagement efforts, including surveys and public events, and emphasized the importance of gathering input from residents, business owners, and visitors alike. The City has launched an online survey to collect feedback, and everyone is encouraged to participate. Visit EngageChampaign.org/downtown-plan to take the survey and help shape the future of downtown!

Mayor Feinen sits down with Chief Jeff Hamer, ILEAP Director, and Lt. Greg Manzana to discuss the Champaign Police Department’s recent reaccreditation as a Tier 2 department, the highest standard of excellence.In this episode, they talk about: What Tier 2 accreditation means for the Champaign community. How CPD’s policies and procedures meet rigorous standards. The ways this process helps the department continue improving.

Join Mayor Feinen on the latest episode of the Mayor Feinen Podcast as she sits down with State Senator Paul Faraci and State Representative Carol Ammons to discuss the vital importance of protecting the Mahomet Aquifer, the region’s primary source of clean drinking water. In this episode, Faraci and Ammons share insights into their recent legislation aimed at ensuring carbon sequestration activities do not threaten the aquifer’s safety. They also discuss actionable steps the local community can take to support these efforts. Tune in to learn more about how we can work together to safeguard our water resources for future generations.

In this episode of The Mayor Feinen Podcast, Mayor Deborah Feinen sits down with Rachel Joy and T.J. Blakeman to discuss a vibrant new initiative that's set to transform Downtown Champaign—The Beat.