URBANA — Champaign County administrators are finally beginning the process of moving into their new headquarters in downtown Urbana. The new Scott M. Bennett Administrative Building is located across the street from the Champaign County Courthouse.
County Executive Steve Summers says the move was long overdue. The County purchased the building in 2022 and began renovations in 2023.
“It’s good to have a central location now with all the offices in one place,” Summers said. “I think it’ll be easier for folks to seek services that the county provides at the one location that we have.”
Previously, many offices were located in the Brookens Administrative Center, while others operated out of different buildings around Urbana.
Now, all the offices will be under the same roof. The decision to relocate comes after the county decided years ago that it needed a new space for the Sheriff’s department after infrastructure problems.
Summers said Illinois statute requires the sheriff’s office to be located within the county seat. Champaign County chose to renovate an existing building instead of building something new, which he said saved the county millions of dollars — since the cost of the move plus renovations cost less than constructing a brand new facility for the sheriff’s office.
The new building helps return administrative operations to Urbana’s downtown area, where the county government and its operations had been based for most of the past century.
County officials believe the move could help the local economy.
Nearly 200 employees will move to the new building: first, the County Executive’s office, followed by the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Agency, GIS, and Veterans Assistance coming in May. The Auditor’s Office, Board of Review, Planning & Zoning Department, Supervisor of Assessments will move after that, followed by the Treasurer/Collector’s Office, County Clerk & Recorder’s Office and County Board coming later this summer.
Summers said the goal is to move all departments and offices with as little disruption as possible. He strongly encourages people to check the County website before visiting Brookens or Bennett to confirm where the office or department they’re seeking is located.
The county has set up a website to keep the public informed of moving progress in real time.
A formal dedication ceremony honoring the building’s namesake, the late State Senator Scott Bennett, is expected to take place later this year.
“Senator Bennett was committed to improving his community through public service and we are honored to have a county building named after him,” said Champaign County Board Chair Jen Locke in a press release. “We have a wonderful group of people that knew Senator Bennett well planning the event and it will be a celebration of his life and service.”