Early-morning fight prompts Illini-Alert
URBANA, Illinois – An early-morning altercation prompted an Illini-Alert emergency notification. Around 2:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, University of Illinois Police officers responded to The Canopy Club, 708 S Goodwin Ave, Urbana, to assist the Urbana Police Department with a fight in progress. When UIPD officers arrived, there was no active fight, and people were leaving the area. Officers learned that an individual allegedly brandished a firearm during the altercation and subsequently fled the scene, which prompted the Illini-Alert emergency notification. UIPD officers searched the area while Urbana Police officers continued their investigation. It was then determined that the [...]
Urbana man arrested for child sexual abuse material
URBANA, Illinois – An Urbana man was arrested Wednesday for possession of child sexual abuse material. University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) detectives arrested Haocheng “Charlie” Wang, 23, of Urbana, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). University Police detectives assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on Dec. 1, 2025, regarding a Discord user allegedly possessing CSAM. After nearly two months of investigation, UIPD detectives and Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force investigators executed a search warrant at Wang’s residence [...]
Winter weather preparedness
URBANA, Illinois - Dangerously cold weather will impact Champaign-Urbana this weekend. An arctic front will push through Central Illinois on Thursday, Jan. 22, bringing extreme cold. Champaign-Urbana is expected to see wind chills of -20°F (-29°C) on Friday and -14°F (-26°C) on Saturday. Following the arctic front, a winter storm will bring snow to the area on Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25, with the potential for more than 4 inches of snowfall. It is strongly advised to remain indoors this weekend, especially on Friday and Saturday, when the wind chill is lowest. If you must leave your [...]
University Police squad car struck in hit and run accident
URBANA, Illinois – A vehicle traveling the wrong way on a one-way street struck a police patrol vehicle and a pedestrian Saturday morning. At approximately 2:12 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, a University of Illinois Police officer was on routine patrol near Green Street in Urbana when a vehicle traveling on Mathews Street struck the front end of the squad car. After striking the squad car, the vehicle also struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk on the north side of Mathews Street before coming to rest on the sidewalk. The pedestrian was transported by ambulance to Carle Hospital and later succumbed [...]
University Police investigating reported sexual assault
CHAMPAIGN, Illinois — University of Illinois Police officers responded to 57 E. Springfield Ave., Champaign, at 6:46 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, to investigate a sexual assault reported earlier that morning. While attempting to make contact at the property, a house that was supposed to be vacant and is scheduled for demolition, officers observed several individuals fleeing the building. Additional UIPD officers responded to assist, and police stopped two individuals who had run from the house. They reported that multiple people remained inside and that weapons might be present. Due to the potential presence of weapons and additional individuals inside, officers [...]