The City of Champaign Township has appointed a new township supervisor.
The township board voted unanimously Tuesday night to select Charlene Murray for the position. She is currently the interim executive director of the Strides low-barrier homeless shelter.
Murray said she acknowledges politics is not her strong suit, but she feels her calling is public service.
“I’m here because I believe the township becomes more effective when we all move in the same direction and lead with accountability, as our mission suggests,” she said in her opening statement. “I’d like to bring the same collaboration and competency I brought to the board with strides into the supervisor’s office, and I’m confident that I can do so.”
Murray faced several questions about managing Strides, which is at risk of closing in April if officials are not able to find additional sources of funding.
She said conditions at the shelter and its financial stability have improved under her tenure. Murray also stated that she would be open to having Strides operate under a different organization, such as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
“Whether or not it stays under township is important to some extent, but the more important thing is that people have a place to go and people have a place to sleep,” she said.
“I know that there are some wonderful community members out that care about people who are unhoused and who would be competent in running a shelter, and I think I think it would benefit us in a lot of ways as well.”
Beyond managing Strides, Murray said she hopes to expand the township’s presence online and on social media and address township funding gaps.
The board selected Murray after interviewing both her and Champaign County Democratic Party Chair Mike Ingram for the position.
Ingram previously served as Recorder of Deeds for the county before campaigning successfully to merge the position with the County Clerk’s office. He said he hoped to expand the township’s offered programs and introduce a rental assistance program.
“I’ve demonstrated a collaborative and respectful management style, built on listening to staff and working towards meaningful solutions,” he said. “I’ve prepared and presented a countywide budget and found department inconsistencies and inefficiencies, and worked with other government offices to solve problems doing the minutia of the office while finding creative ways to utilize government.”
Murray’s predecessor, Kyle Patterson, resigned last year citing health concerns. He faced some criticism for his financial management of the township.
As township supervisor, Murray’s responsibilities include preparing an annual budget and overseeing staff. Supervisors also have a seat on the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Board.