30. Weather forcasts / links for Champaign Urbana

Well, given the fickle weather of Chambana, it always helps to find out the current weather condition. So, here are some assorted links that will take you right away to the current weather condition of Champaign-Urbana, as listed in various websites.

Bookmark this post ... you never know when you've got to check out the weather!!

Enjoy!!

UIUC Weather

Detailed weather info from UofI CropSci dept.

Weather.com

• Champaign
• Urbana

IlliniWeather.com

• Champaign
• Urbana

National Weather Service

FindLocalweather

• Champaign
• Urbana

Weather Underground

• Champaign
• Urbana

29. Emergency phone numbers in Champaign - Urbana

If you have an emergency, and need help from Police, Fire or Medical personnel, call 911
From a campus phone, dial 9-911

If you need help, but it's not an emergency, use the following numbers for police

• Champaign Police - 217-351-4545
  
  
• Urbana Police - 217-384-2320
  
  
• University of Illinois Police - 217-333-1216
  
  
• Champaign County Sheriff - 217-333-8911
  
  
• Danville Police - 217-431-2250
  
  
• Vermilion County Sheriff - 217-442-4080
  

24. Busey Bank locations and hours in Champaign Urbana

Busey Bank is one of the many banks of Champaign Urbana, but the main distinction is that this is a local bank, and one of the oldest in the area. It was established in 1868 by Dr. W. R. Earhart and the Busey brothers - Simeon Busey and Colonel Samuel T. Busey of Urbana.

Through various mergers and acquisitions, the bank has grown a lot. Most recently, in 2007, it merged with Main Street Bank and Trust.

This was my first bank in Champaign-Urbana area. The advantages are clear: the locations are quite convenient ... there is a branch right at the center of U of I campus (6th and Green), and also many other locations around the area. They also have a lot of ATMs, and so you don't have to pay any ATM fees when you use their ATMs. You get a Mastercard check/debit card which doubles as the ATM card.

The bank also has a nice rewards program, and you get points for referring new customers as well as making purchases on debit cards. I received an Ipod Shuffle recently after cashing in my 800 points.

Following are the locations of the bank branches, and the hours. A more updated list can be found at the Bank's site.

---

Champaign

• Busey Bank, Champaign 217-384-3400
  909 W Kirby, Champaign, IL 61820 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 8:30am to 5pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7am to 7pm | Sat - 7am to 4pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Champaign - Campus 217-365-4552
  614 S Sixth St, Champaign, IL 61820 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Fri� 9am to 5pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Champaign - North 217-355-1580
  907 N Marketview, Champaign, IL 61822 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Thur - 9am to 5:30pm | Fri - 9am to 6pm | Sat - 9am to 1pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Springfield & Country Fair 217-351-2854
  2011 W Springfield Ave, Champaign, IL 61821 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 9am to 5pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7am to 7pm | Sat - 7am to 7pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Springfield & Randolph 217-351-2700
  314 S Randolph, Champaign, IL 61820 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 9am to 5pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7am to 7pm | Sat - 7am to 7pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, University & Randolph 217-351-6500
  100 W University, Champaign, IL 61820
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 9am to 4pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Windsor & Duncan 217-351-2820
  3002 W Windsor, Champaign, IL 61821 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 9am to 5pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7am to 7pm | Sat - 8am to 12pm
  

Urbana

• Busey Bank, Urbana 217-365-4500
  201 W Main, Urbana, IL 61801 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 9am to 4pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7:30am to 6pm
  Mini Bank: Mon - Fri - 7:30am to 6pm | Sat - 8am to 1pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Urbana - Sunnycrest 217-367-6633
  1717 Philo Rd, Urbana, IL 61801 24-Hour ATM Available
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 8am to 4pm | Sat - 8am to 1pm
  Walk Up: Mon - Fri - 8am to 4pm | Sat - 8am to 1pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Urbana - The Pines 217-365-4930
  2710 S Philo Rd, Urbana, IL 61802 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 9am to 5pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7:30am to 6:30pm | Sat - 7:30am to 1pm\
  
  

Other cities

• Busey Bank, Mahomet 217-586-4981
  312 E Main, Mahomet, IL 61853
  Lobby: Mon - Thur - 9am to 4pm | Fri - 9am to 5pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7am to 6pm | Sat - 7am to 1pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Rantoul 217-892-2181
  200 E Sangamon, Rantoul, IL 61866
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 9am to 4pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Rantoul 217-892-4121
  1231 E Grove, Rantoul, IL 61866 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 9am to 5:30pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7:30am to 6pm | Sat - 7:30am to 12pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Savoy 217-384-3424
  108 Arbours, Savoy, IL 61874 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Thur �8am to 5pm | Fri �8am to 5:30pm | Sat �8am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Thur �7:30am to 6pm | Fri �7:30am to 7pm | Sat �7:30am to 1pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, St. Joseph 217-469-7631
  104 N Main, St. Joseph, IL 61873 24-Hour ATM Available
  Lobby: Mon - Fri - 9am to 4pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7:30am to 6pm | Sat - 7:30am to 12pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Thomasboro 217-643-7836
  101 Main St, Thomasboro, IL 61878
  Drive Up: Mon - Fri - 7:30am to 6pm | Sat - 7:30am to 12pm
  
  
• Busey Bank, Tolono 217-485-6021
  128 E Holden, Tolono, IL 61880
  Lobby: Mon - Thur - 9am to 4pm | Fri - 9am to 5pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Drive Up: Mon - Thur - 9am to 5:30pm | Fri - 9am to 6pm | Sat - 9am to 12pm
  Walk Up: Mon - Thur - 4pm to 5:30pm | Fri - 5pm to 6pm
  

22. Ordering Pizza in Champaign Urbana

Do you have a sudden craving for a slice of Pizza? Here are some info that might help you. There are many places where you can get a pizza in Champaign Urbana area. Most of them have delivery services available for

Champaign

• Papa Del's Pizza E Green St, Champaign, IL -(217) 359-7700 206
  
  
• Papa John's Pizza 106 E Green St, Champaign, IL - (217) 355-5858
  
  
• Second Story Pizza 901 S 4th St, Champaign, IL (217) 239-2001
  
  
• Monical's Pizza W Kirby Ave, Champaign, IL . (217) 356-4243 103
  
  
• Domino's Pizza 102 E Green St, Champaign, IL - (217) 355-0717
  
  
• Gumby's Pizza 1409 S Neil St, Champaign, IL - (217) 355-3278
  
  
• Prime Time Pizza 505 E University Ave # B, Champaign, IL - (217) 355-9100
  
  
• Papa John's Pizza 2104 W Springfield Ave # A, Champaign, IL - (217) 351-7272
  
  
• Pizza Hut 411 E Green St, Champaign, IL - (217) 344-2218
  
  
• Garcia's Pizza In A Pan 108 E Green St, Champaign, IL - (217) 359-1212
  
  
• Heartland Pizza 1803 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, IL - (217) 398-6800
  
  
• One World Pizza 508 E Green St, Champaign, IL - (217) 344-4000
  
  
• Village Inn Pizza Parlor 1801 W Springfield Ave, Champaign, IL - (217) 359-1736
  
  
• Antonio's Pizza, 619 E Green St, Champaign, IL - (217) 365-9500
  
  
• Papa Murphy's Pizza: Champaign, 1753 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, IL - (217) 356-8000
  
  
• Boston's Gourmet Pizza, 2501 N Prospect Ave, Champaign, IL - (217) 355-0005
  
  
• Pizzeria Uno 2000 N Neil St, Champaign, IL - (217) 398-4242
  
  
• Pizza Planet and Beyond 508 E Green St, Champaign, IL - (217) 344-0632

Urbana

• Rosati's Pizza 701 S Gregory St # H, Urbana, IL - (217) 328-2334
  
  
• Domino's Pizza 1108 N. Cunningham Ave, Urbana, IL - (217) 328-6800
  
  
• Domino's Pizza 1106 S Vine St, Urbana, IL - (217) 384-6400
  
  
• Papa Murphy's Pizza 114 N Vine St # C, Urbana, IL - (217) 344-7700
  
  
• Papa John's Pizza 1307 E Florida Ave, Urbana, IL - (217) 384-7272
  
  
• Monical's Pizza, 2720 South Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802 (217) 367-5781
  
  
• Little Caesars Pizza 1901 Philo Rd # B, Urbana, IL - (217) 328-9360
  
  
• Manolo's Pizza & Empanadas 1115 W Oregon St, Urbana, IL - (217) 365-0110
  
  
• Sbarro 1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL - (217) 337-0100
  
  
• Casey's Carry Out Pizza 2108 E University Ave, Urbana, IL - (217) 328-0505
  
  
• Kraft Pizza 1502 Airport Rd, Urbana, IL - (217) 337-0328
  
  

20. Ethnic Indian grocery in Champaign-Urbana : Annapoorna Stores

Image: courtesy of Annapoorna stores website

Besides the regular groceries, there are many ethnic grocery stores in Champaign - Urbana. But there is only one Indian grocery store in Chambana.

The Annapoorna stores is located in Champaign, 505 South Neil Street, Suite 11, Champaign, IL 61820 . It is right opposite to the Champaign Public Library, between Randolph and Neil, Healy and Green. (You can take the 5 Green bus or 25 loop to reach near it).

Store items/collection
The store contains a rich collection of Indian and South Asian groceries, spices, and many other food items. For example:

Frozen food: Both north and south Indian specialities, such as Paratha, Roti, Nan, Idli, Dosa, Uttappam. The ready to eat food section has specialities such as Dal, Bhendi Masala, Chole Chatpate, Pongal Rice, etc.

Frozen snacks: Khaman Dhokla, chili paneer, punjabi samosa, veg. spring roll, chicken samosas, chinese appetizers/meals.

Spices: Chili, cumin, garam masala, coriander, turmeric, spices, pickles, cinnamon, cardamom.

Food grain: Basmati rice, boiled rice, Sona masoori rice, dal / lentil, flour,

Fresh vegetables: The store brings fresh vegetables from Chicago every Friday. You can get fresh okra, green peppers, singa, radish (muli), mangoes, guavas etc.

Fresh sweets/snacks : The store brings fresh sweets like ladoos, jalebis, rasmalai, samosa, kachori, and mirchi pakora.

Meat - The store will take orders for poultry, and other kind of meat. It will bring those meat items from Chicago. Pick up can be made on Thursday evenings when their delivery van arrives from Chicago. (the store is closed at that time though, so you can only pick up the meat order at that time).

Video rentals: The store carries a rich collection of Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, and other Indian language films/cinemas. VHS tapes/cassettes cost $1 to rent, and DVDs are $2. The store brings new releases almost every week.


The store takes Cash, Debit and Credit cards.

Store Hours

Mon - Wed : 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Fri - Sat : 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Sun : 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Closed on Thursday

9. Origin of name - Champaign

The City of Champaign was named after the Champaign county where Champaign-Urbana are located. Now, how did the county come to be named "Champaign"?

Well, as mentioned in the previous post about Urbana, the region was settled by folks coming from the Champaign county of Ohio. (Any surprise that the largest city/county seat of that county in Ohio is "Urbana"?). Anyway, why was it named Champaign to begin with? Well, we can refer to our French-English dictionary about that. In French, "Champaign" means "a plain" or "open level country". Apparently, the land was as flat as the prairie we see in our Chambana!!

Talk about deja vu !!!

1. Champaign + Urbana = Chambana

What do you call Champaign-Urbana,the twin cities that house the University of Illinois? Well, folks here have come up with some interesting names. These names coined by the "townies" include:

• Chambana
• Shampoo-Banana
• Champo-Banana

But among these, "Chambana" seems to be the most popular. Even Craigslist's local page is marked as Chambana.

Image Courtesy of wikipedia