As East Central Illinois Prepares for an Epic Winter Storm, Many Closings Follow
As we told you earlier this week, it’s expected that we will have a White Christmas here in the Champaign-Urbana metro area for 2022. But as many people are aware, thanks to predictions that started over a week ago, that storm will be accompianed by blizzard-like conditions. (Follow along with Chambana Weather here.)
In response to the weather forecast, and because of the upcoming holiday, many local institutions have announced special hours or closings in between Dec. 22-26.
We’ve done our best to list closings that will impact chambanamoms.com readers below; we link to sources as much as possible. Please note this is not a comprehensive list; when in doubt, call ahead. If you want us to add a closing, please email it to editor@chambanamoms.com.
Local libraries
Champaign Public Library, via Facebook: “Due to predicted weather, the Main Library and Douglass Branch Library will be closed Thursday & Friday, December 22 & 23, and closed Saturday & Sunday for the holiday, December 24 & 25. Interested in ebooks and more? champaign.org/ebooks
Urbana Free Library via Facebook: “Out of an abundance of caution, The Urbana Free Library will be closed on Thursday, December 22 and Friday, December 23 due to inclement weather. We will not be providing online or phone reference while the Library is closed. We look forward to reopening on Monday, December 26.”
Mahomet Library, via Facebook: Closed Thursday and Friday due to the storm; closed Saturday-Monday (12/24-12/26) for the holidays.
Tolono Public Library via Facebook: Closed Thursday and Friday due to the storm; closed Saturday-Monday (12/24-12/26) for the holidays. “Out of an abundance of caution, all book drops will be closed December 22nd through December 26th. Please stay safe and hang onto all your materials until we reopen on Tuesday, December 27th.”
Park Districts and Recreation
Urbana Park District via Facebook: Urbana Park District closed through December 26, due to the weather and the holiday. All Urbana Park District facilities, programs and classes are closed and/or canceled December 22 and December 23. Park district facilities will be closed due to the holiday December 24 – 26. Urbana Park District will re-open for regular hours on Tuesday, December 27.
Champaign Park District: Many CPD facilities are closing at 3pm on Thursday, 12/22: closure info here. Stay up-to-date with Weather Cancellations, Facility Closures, Program Updates, and more with the CPD Rainout Line. Get emails/text alerts, download the free app, call 217-805-4100, or visit our website to learn about potential cancellations: bit.ly/CPDRainoutLine
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Mahomet: Closed Thursday, December 22 and Friday, Dec. 23; will be open again December 26-31.
Savoy Recreation Center: Closing at 3 pm on Thursday, Dec. 22.
University of Illinois Ice Arena: Closed Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23 due to inclement weather.
Stephens Family YMCA with Larkin’s Place: Will close early today (Thursday, Dec. 22) at 4 PM and will be closed all day tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 23). They plan to re-open Saturday, December 24th at 6 AM, closing at 12 noon as previously scheduled in honor of Christmas Eve.
Christmas Lights Displays
(For more on Christmas Lights, visit our Amazing List of Christmas Lights in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond list to see where to take your family – when it’s a bit warmer and less windy.)
Winter Nights at Prairie Farm will be closed December 22 through December 25.
Night Lights at the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden in Mahomet: “Due to safety concerns with the weather, Night Lights at the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve in Mahomet is cancelled this weekend December 23 & 24. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please join us for the final weekend on December 30 & 31 from 4-8 p.m.”
Lighting Up Paxton will be off Dec. 22 and 23, and hopes to be on again on December 24.
Allerton Holiday Glow: Holiday GLOW has been cancelled for 12/22, and will be closed Dec. 23-26 as previously planned. Monitor the Allerton Park and Retreat Center Facebook and Instagram for any updates.
Manchester Christmas House: Will not be lit up on Thursday, Dec. 22.
Government Agencies
City of Urbana: Due to predicted weather conditions, the City of Urbana business offices will be closed on Thursday, December 22, 2022. The City’s essential services of public safety – which includes snow removal – will be in full operation. Additionally, the Landscape Recycling Center will be closed on Thursday, December 22, 2022, so please plan accordingly. The City business offices will be closed Dec. 23-26.
City of Champaign: In order to maintain employee safety and allow the City to focus on the delivery of emergency services during the forecasted winter storm, City of Champaign administrative offices will be closed to the public on Thursday, December 22, 2022. All public safety and snow removal operations will be in full operation. City staff will be available to provide customer service via phone and email during regular business hours that day. City administrative offices will also be closed Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26 in observance of City holidays.
Champaign County Courthouse: The Champaign County Courthouse will close at noon tomorrow, December 22, 2022, by order of the Champaign County Sheriff.
Champaign Urbana Public Health District: CUPHD will close at NOON Thursday, December 22.