Candidates for Champaign Township Supervisor Set Priorities

Mike Ingram, a candidate for the position of Champaign Township Supervisor, has outlined his top priorities should he be appointed. In a recent interview with The News-Gazette, Ingram emphasized that rebuilding relationships across various stakeholders is crucial. He plans to engage not only with the town board and city officials but also with township staff and community stakeholders to foster collaboration.

Ingram specifically addressed the challenges facing the township’s low-barrier shelter, Strides. He remarked that the facility was established to meet an urgent need, but has struggled due to diminishing funding, particularly from the American Rescue Plan Act. “That need hasn’t gone away, but the funding that got it started has,” he stated, underscoring the importance of community efforts to support vulnerable populations. He highlighted the impact of federal policy changes on housing stability, noting, “We are going to continue to see more and more people get pushed off the ledge of keeping themselves and their families housed and fed.”

Champaign Township attorney Thomas Yu has confirmed that the town board will choose between two candidates for the supervisor role: Ingram and Charlene Murray, the interim executive director of Strides Shelter. A third applicant, Lametra Kelly, was disqualified for not meeting residency requirements. According to Yu, candidates must have lived in the township for at least one year, be registered Democrats, and have no serious criminal convictions.

The application process concluded on Tuesday night, with interviews scheduled for January 6, 2024. Yu proposed that the board nominate and appoint the new supervisor by January 13, 2024, to meet the deadline of January 17, 2024. The new supervisor will serve the remainder of the term left by former Supervisor Kyle Patterson, who resigned in November due to ongoing health issues. Deputy Supervisor Corrine Jordan is currently managing the supervisor’s duties during this transitional period.

Murray previously sought the supervisor position in 2024 but withdrew when she felt a more politically experienced candidate had emerged. She stated, “I have now worked under two township supervisors and realize this role isn’t about politics — it’s about being a visionary, overseeing operations, managing finances and being an engaged leader for staff, administration and community.”

If appointed, Murray aims to stabilize and enhance the shelter’s operations while collaborating with the city and the University of Illinois to address the ongoing housing crisis. She also emphasized the need for improved communication and support for township employees and expressed her intention to hire an executive director to implement a revisioning plan at Strides, noting she has a candidate in mind.

As the township prepares for this significant appointment, both candidates bring distinct perspectives and priorities that could shape the future of Champaign Township and its response to community needs. The ultimate decision will be pivotal in determining how effectively the township can address pressing issues such as housing and community support.