University of Illinois Willard Airport

Serving the Communities of Champaign and Urbana

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service 

Development Program

Docket DOT-OST-2010-0124

Dun & Bradstreet DUNS Number: 04-154-4081

Two Digit Congressional District Code: 15
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTORY LETTER .................................................................................. 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...................................................................................... 5

AIR SERVICE OVERVIEW................................................................................... 6

Catchment Area and Other Airports in the Region ................................................................................................ 6

Current Champaign Airline Service........................................................................................................................ 7

Marketing, Promotion and Air Service Development ............................................................................................. 8

AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES ........................... 9

Declining Capacity ................................................................................................................................................. 9

Seats per Capita ..................................................................................................................................................11

Declining Traffic ...................................................................................................................................................12

High Fares............................................................................................................................................................14

Traffic and Fares in Champaign/Urbana's Largest Domestic Markets ................................................................17

Traffic and Fares in Champaign/Urbana's Largest International Markets ...........................................................18

STRATEGIC PLAN ............................................................................................ 19

Goals ....................................................................................................................................................................19

Detailed Explanation of Proposal.........................................................................................................................19

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING ................................................ 21

Public/Private Partnership....................................................................................................................................21

Project Funding ....................................................................................................................................................22

Implementation Timeline......................................................................................................................................23

Project Monitoring and Success Metrics..............................................................................................................24

Legal Sponsor......................................................................................................................................................25

Financial Controls ................................................................................................................................................25

Return on Investment...........................................................................................................................................25

DOT Exit Strategy ................................................................................................................................................26

APPENDIX A: REQUIRED SUMMARY INFORMATION................................... 27

A. Applicant Information....................................................................................................................................27

B. Public/Private Partnerships ..........................................................................................................................27

C. Project Proposal ...........................................................................................................................................27

D. Existing Landing Aids at Local Airport ..........................................................................................................28

E. Project Cost ..................................................................................................................................................28
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

3

F. Enplanements...............................................................................................................................................28

G. Is this application subject to review by state under Executive Order 12372 Process? ................................28

H. Is this applicant delinquent on any federal debt? .........................................................................................29

APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY BACKGROUND.................................................. 30

University of Illinois-Willard Airport Background ..................................................................................................30

Champaign County Community Information ........................................................................................................31

APPENDIX C: LETTER OF SUPPORT............................................................. 38
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

4

INTRODUCTORY LETTER
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

University of Illinois Willard Airport is proposing a Small Community Air Service Development Grant in the amount 

of $250,000 that will be supplemented with $80,000 of cash from community organizations to develop and 

implement a marketing and advertising program.

Champaign/Urbana will lose one of the two airlines serving the community in just a few days on August 31 when 

Delta Air Lines discontinues the Delta Connection/Northwest Airlink service that had linked Champaign/Urbana 

with the Detroit hub for over ten years. Although American Eagle will continue its Champaign/Urbana service to 

Chicago and Dallas/Ft. Worth, the loss of Delta's service will result in fewer enplanements at the airport and could 

result in higher fares.

The loss of Delta comes at the end of a ten year period where capacity declined 35.6% from the beginning of the 

decade and 41% from its peak. Capacity in the most recent year-end period was at its lowest point over the last 

ten years, while traffic also declined to its lowest point. Champaign/Urbana's domestic fares on the other hand, 

were at $190 each way in the most recent year – just under their ten-year peak of $200 each way in the year-end 

first quarter 2009.

Without an effort to increase the airport's traffic on the remaining capacity, our community risks losing some or all 

of the remaining capacity operated by American Eagle. We believe the best way to reverse the trend in the 

community's air service metric is to develop and implement a marketing and advertising campaign to build 

awareness to the air service offered at the local airport and recapture traffic leaking to other airports in the region. 

Many residents and businesses in and around Champaign and Urbana have been conditioned to use air service 

available from other airports in the region and may not be aware American Eagle serves two hubs from 

Champaign/Urbana and can travel to their final destination with just one connection by originating their trip from 

the local airport. A well-funded and executed marketing and advertising campaign will steer travelers back to 

Willard Airport, increasing enplanements at the airport and strengthening American Eagle's financial performance 

in Champaign.

If the community were to win a grant, work could begin immediately on developing the marketing and advertising 

campaign, and it could be implemented in less than three months, by March 1, 2011. Because the University of 

Illinois owns and operates Willard Airport and because the University employs various marketing and advertising 

personnel, these personnel would be leverage for some of the creative and content work for the campaign and a 

higher percentage of program funding could be used for advertising placement.

Organizations within the community and the University of Illinois recognize the economic value commercial 

service at Willard Airport brings to the community and have underscored their commitment by allocating financial 

resources to the proposed marketing and advertising project.
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

6

AIR SERVICE OVERVIEW

Catchment Area and Other Airports in the Region

University of Illinois Willard Airport is the primary airport serving Champaign, Urbana and other smaller 

communities within a 30 to 60-minute drive time radius around the airport in Illinois and Indiana. 187,000 

residents live within a 30-minute drive of the airport, and 576,000 residents live within a 60-minute drive of the 

airport. There are three other communities in Central Illinois with commercial airline service within two hours of 

Champaign/Urbana, including Peoria, Bloomington/Normal and Springfield (Exhibit 1).

Exhibit 1: 30 and 60-Minute Drive Time Catchment Areas of University of Illinois Willard Airport

One Hour CMI Catchment Area

30-Minute CMI Catchment Area

Locations of Central Illinois airports with commercial service
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

7

Current Champaign Airline Service

Currently, American Eagle and Delta Connection serve Champaign/Urbana, but Delta Connection will discontinue 

its service in the market and end service between Champaign and Detroit on August 31, 2010. Without the Delta 

Connection service, Champaign will be served only by American Eagle to Chicago (five roundtrips per day) and 

Dallas/Ft. Worth (one roundtrip per day) (Exhibit 2).

Exhibit 2: Routes Operated from University of Illinois Willard Airport (Effective September 1, 2010)
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

8

Marketing, Promotion and Air Service Development 

With only limited marketing and advertising funding available, Willard Airport markets the air service in the 

community in print media, on billboards and on radio ads during all big ten football and basketball broadcasts. 

Print media includes:

 Champaign County Community Link Magazine

 Community Concierge Magazine

 Champaign County Commerce Connection Magazine

 Inside Illinois Magazine

The objective of this proposal is to win a Small Community Air Service Development Grant to initiative a 

comprehensive marketing and advertising campaign. 
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

9

AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES

Declining Capacity

In the year-end first quarter 2009, Champaign/Urbana's capacity declined to its lowest point in the last ten years. 

Although capacity increased from year-end first quarter 2001 to year-end first quarter 2006, capacity was down 

41% from 625 seats per day each way at the peak to 370 seats per day each way in the year-end first quarter 

2010 (Exhibit 3). 

Exhibit 3: Seats per Day Each Way at University of Illinois Willard Airport – Year-End First Quarter 2001-2010 (DOT T-100 

data) 

575

508

550

456

559

625

445

428

409

370

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Seats per Day Each Way

Seats per Day Each Way
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

10

Although American's capacity in Champaign/Urbana reached a ten-year low in the most recent year, American 

has operated more capacity than Delta/Northwest every year in each of the last ten years (Exhibit 4). In the yearend first quarter 2005, Delta began Cincinnati service and Northwest added capacity in the Detroit market, 

causing the combined Delta/Northwest capacity to increase for two years until Delta discontinued Cincinnati

service. Delta also entered the Atlanta market for a brief period of time in the year-end first quarter 2007.

Exhibit 4: Seats per Day Each Way by Carrier at University of Illinois Willard Airport – Year-End First Quarter 2001-2010 

(DOT T-100 data) 

Over the same ten year period, three destinations were added in the Champaign/Urbana market including 

Cincinnati and Atlanta on Delta and Dallas/Ft. Worth on American. Over the same period, four markets were 

discontinued; Atlanta and Cincinnati on Delta, Detroit on Northwest and St. Louis on American (Exhibit 5). 

American's Chicago service has operated continuously over the last ten years. 

Exhibit 5: Champaign/Urbana Markets Added and Discontinued by Year, Carrier and Destination

575

508

550

456

559

625

445

428

409

370

406

376

401

364 349

389

332

363

343

296

169

132

149

9 3

209

236

113

6 5 6 6 7 4

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Seats per Day Each Way

Total Seats per Day Each Way AA Seats per Day Each Way DL/NW Seats per Day Each Way Year Carrier Destination

Markets Added 2005 Delta Cincinnati

2006 American Dallas/Ft. Worth

2007 Delta Atlanta

Markets Discontinued 2006 American St. Louis

2007 Delta Atlanta

2007 Delta Cincinnati

2010 Delta Detroit
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

11

Seats per Capita

Seats per capita measures the amount of airline capacity in a community relative to the community's population 

and can be helpful when comparing the quality of one community's air service to another.

Relative to the other three airports in the region, Champaign/Urbana has fewer seats per capita than either 

Bloomington or Peoria. In the year-end first quarter 2010, airlines operated 135,038 seats in each direction to 

and from Champaign/Urbana. The latest census bureau estimate of Champaign/Urbana's MSA population is 

226,132 residents. When the number of seats are divided by the population estimate, the result is 0.60 seats per 

capita – airlines operated 0.60 seats for every resident of Champaign/Urbana in the most recent year. 

Bloomington had 2.06 seats per capita, Peoria had 0.92 seats per capita, and Springfield had 0.46 seats per 

capita in the most recent year (Exhibit 6).

Delta will exit the Champaign/Urbana market on August 31, 2010. If Delta had not operated at 

Champaign/Urbana in the most recent year, Champaign/Urbana's seats per capita would have been 0.48. This is 

also an indication of Champaign/Urbana's seats per capita in the upcoming year without Delta. The community 

will have essentially the same level of service Springfield had in the most recent year.

Exhibit 6: Seats per Capita in Champaign/Urbana, Bloomington/Normal, Peoria and Springfield – Year-End First Quarter 2010 

(T-100 data and U.S. Census Bureau 2009 population estimates)

Community

YE 1Q 2010 

Seats (each way)

2009 MSA 

Population

Seats per 

Capita

Bloomington/Normal 345,897 167,699 2.06

Peoria 346,392 375,865 0.92

Champaign/Urbana 135,038 226,132 0.60

Springfield 96,357 208,182 0.46

Totals and Average 923,683 977,878 0.9
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

12

Declining Traffic

Champaign/Urbana's traffic has declined as carriers reduced capacity in the market. Champaign/Urbana traffic 

peaked in the year-end first quarter 2006 with 223,400 domestic and 26,900 international origin and destination 

passengers. Since the peak, traffic fell 36.5% to 141,770 origin and destination passengers, while international 

traffic fell 13.7% to 23,210 origin and destination passengers in the most recent year. In the year-end first quarter 

2010, combined domestic and international traffic is down 34.1% since the peak (Exhibit 7).

Exhibit 7: Annual Domestic and International Origin and Destination (O&D) Passengers at University of Illinois Willard Airport

– Year-End First Quarter 2001-2010 (DB1B data)

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

220,750

192,250 181,520

161,620

214,990 223,400

185,520 188,850

154,450 141,770

19,240 

19,640 21,030 

18,590 

23,270 26,900 

25,360 26,060 

23,490 

23,210 

Domestic O&D Passengers International O&D Passengers
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

13

Translated to passengers per day each way (PDEW), Champaign/Urbana generated 194 domestic and 32 

international PDEW in the year-end first quarter 2010 – down from 306 domestic PDEW and 37 international 

PDEW at a the peak. International traffic, on a percentage basis, held-up much better than domestic traffic

(Exhibit 8).

Exhibit 8: Annual Domestic and International Passengers per Day Each Way (PDEW) at University of Illinois Willard Airport –

Year-End First Quarter 2001-2010 (DB1B data)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

302

263 249

221

294 306

254 258

212

194

26

27 29

25

32

37

35 36

32

32

Domestic PDEW International PDEW
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

14

High Fares

Domestic fares in Champaign/Urbana declined somewhat between year-end first quarter 2001 and 2006, but 

began to increase again in 2006 as capacity and traffic declined. In the most recent year-end period, 

Champaign/Urbana's average fare stood at $190 – down from a peak of $200 in the previous year, but still high 

by most standards (Exhibit 9). 

Exhibit 9: PDEW, Seats per Day Each Way and Average Domestic Fare at University of Illinois Willard Airport – Year-End 

First Quarter 2001-2010 (DOT T-100 and DB1B data)

575

508

550

456

559

625

445

428

409

370

302

263 249

221

294 306

254 258

212

194

$180

$163

$157

$171

$152

$166

$181 $184

$200

$190

$0

$25

$50

$75

$100

$125

$150

$175

$200

$225

$250

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Average One-Way Fare Seats and Passengers per Day Each Way

Seats per Day Each Way Domestic PDEW Average Domestic One-Way Fare
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

15

Champaign/Urbana's year-end first quarter 2010 domestic one-way fare was $190, but analysis of the data by 

quarter shows the average domestic one-way fare stood at $201 in first quarter 2010 – up $22 versus first quarter 

2009. The average domestic fare trended up to this level as both capacity and domestic traffic trended down to 

their lowest levels in the last two years (Exhibit 10). 

Exhibit 10: PDEW, Seats per Day Each Way and Average Domestic Fare at University of Illinois Willard Airport - Quarterly 

Data – First Quarter 2008 through First Quarter 2010 (DOT T-100 and DB1B data)

 

409

476

431

361 367 381 386

368

345

226

240

208 207

192 198 194 204

180

$187

$201

$217

$201

$179 $183 $186 $190

$201

$0

$25

$50

$75

$100

$125

$150

$175

$200

$225

$250

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2008-Q1 2008-Q2 2008-Q3 2008-Q4 2009-Q1 2009-Q2 2009-Q3 2009-Q4 2010-Q1

Average One-Way Fare Seats and Passengers per Day Each Way

Seats per Day Each Way Domestic PDEW Average Domestic One-Way Fare
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

16

At $190, the average domestic one-way fare in Champaign/Urbana in the most recent year was the highest of the 

airports at the four airports in Central Illinois. With an average one-way fare of $134, Bloomington had the lowest 

domestic one-way fare among the four airports. The Bloomington fare is a function of low-cost carrier AirTran's 

service in Bloomington, and American and Delta match AirTran's pricing in competitive markets. Bloomington's 

average fare was $56 lower each way than the average Champaign/Urbana fare. Springfield's average fare was 

$169 and Peoria's average fare was $174 (Exhibit 11). 

Exhibit 11: Average Domestic Fare in Champaign/Urbana and the Airports Surrounding Champaign/Urbana – Year-End First 

Quarter 2010 (DOT T-100 and DB1B data)

$0

$25

$50

$75

$100

$125

$150

$175

$200

Champaign/Urbana Peoria Springfield Weighted Average Bloomington

$190

$174 $169 $157

$134
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

17

Traffic and Fares in Champaign/Urbana's Largest Domestic Markets

The 30 largest domestic Champaign/Urbana markets produced 83.6% of the total domestic traffic. American 

carried 84% of the traffic in the 30 largest domestic markets, and Delta carried 15% of the traffic (the remaining 

1% was written on other carrier's ticket stock and ultimately flown on an American or Delta flight to or from 

Champaign). 

American carried 80% of Champaign/Urbana's total domestic traffic, and Delta carried 18%. While American 

carried four of every five passengers, American's average fare was also higher than Delta's average fare – $189 

versus $179. Given American's dominant share of the market and its fare premium to Delta, it is not surprising 

Delta will discontinue its service in Champaign/Urbana (Exhibit 12).

Exhibit 12: PDEW, Share and Average One-Way Fare in Champaign/Urbana's 30 Largest Domestic Markets – Year-End First 

Quarter 2010 (DB1B data)

Market PDEW Share Fare PDEW Share Fare PDEW Fare

1 DCA/IAD/BWI 14.0 79% $185 3.5 20% $158 17.8 $183

2 LGA/JFK/EWR 11.9 82% $166 2.5 17% $168 14.6 $167

3 SFO/OAK/SJC 11.2 96% $206 0.3 3% $184 11.7 $207

4 DFW/DAL 11.2 99% $174 0.1 1% $202 11.3 $175

5 LAX/SNA/ONT/BUR/LGB 9.8 95% $226 0.4 4% $246 10.3 $227

6 BOS 6.9 82% $165 1.5 18% $177 8.4 $168

7 DTW 0.6 9% $166 6.5 91% $143 7.2 $145

8 SEA 5.6 87% $214 0.3 4% $250 6.5 $220

9 ORD/MDW 5.8 100% $146 5.8 $146

10 PHL 3.7 67% $163 1.7 32% $156 5.5 $163

11 MSP 4.5 82% $140 1.0 18% $155 5.4 $143

12 LAS 4.6 96% $149 0.2 3% $214 4.8 $151

13 SAN 4.6 98% $199 0.1 1% $57 4.7 $198

14 RDU 3.4 79% $155 0.9 21% $167 4.3 $158

15 DEN 4.0 97% $185 0.0 1% $224 4.1 $187

16 PHX/AZA 3.7 95% $169 0.2 5% $189 3.9 $171

17 ATL 2.5 78% $162 0.5 17% $159 3.2 $172

18 IAH/HOU 2.7 95% $164 0.1 4% $265 2.8 $169

19 AUS 2.7 99% $197 2.7 $197

20 MIA/FLL/PBI 2.0 78% $184 0.5 22% $163 2.5 $180

21 SAT 2.4 99% $190 0.0 1% $111 2.5 $189

22 MCO/SFB 2.0 83% $173 0.4 17% $191 2.4 $181

23 PIT 1.4 61% $181 0.8 37% $177 2.3 $181

24 PDX 1.7 89% $245 0.1 7% $237 1.9 $250

25 BDL 0.7 40% $179 1.0 60% $201 1.7 $192

26 MSY 1.6 99% $166 0.0 1% $214 1.7 $167

27 SLC 1.6 96% $226 0.1 3% $254 1.7 $226

28 ABQ 1.6 100% $175 1.6 $175

29 TPA/PIE 1.2 82% $153 0.2 17% $145 1.5 $152

30 CLE 1.2 80% $207 0.3 19% $221 1.4 $210

30 Largest Markets 130.6 84% $181 23.4 15% $165 156 $181

All Markets 156.3 80% $189 34.2 18% $179 194 $190

American Delta/Northwest All Carriers
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

18

Traffic and Fares in Champaign/Urbana's Largest International Markets

International traffic in Champaign/Urbana accounts for 14% of the total traffic in the community. This is 

approximately twice as much international traffic as a typical market the size of Champaign/Urbana generates. 

The higher ratio of international traffic is likely a function of traffic generated University of Illinois and Asian-based 

manufacturers in the region. The five largest markets are Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, London and Toronto. 

American carries 59% of the international traffic and Delta carries 17%. The remaining 24% is ticketed on various

foreign airlines, including American's oneworld alliance partners and Delta's SkyTeam alliance partners. While 

American carries the dominant share of the international traffic, Delta's discontinuation of service in Champaign/ 

Urbana will adversely impact the ability of foreign airlines to sell Champaign/Urbana as a destination (Exhibit 13).

Exhibit 13: PDEW, Share and Average One-Way Fare in Champaign/Urbana's 30 Largest International Markets – Year-End 

First Quarter 2010 (DB1B data)

Market PDEW Share Fare PDEW Share Fare PDEW Fare

1 ICN 0.5 15% $588 0.2 6% $761 3.7 $816

2 PVG 1.5 78% $608 0.4 20% $622 1.9 $622

3 TPE 1.1 60% $629 0.2 13% $455 1.8 $731

4 LHR/LGW 1.2 80% $518 0.2 10% $573 1.5 $573

5 YYZ 1.1 78% $304 0.2 17% $335 1.4 $311

6 FRA 0.8 83% $440 0.2 16% $378 1.0 $430

7 NRT 0.5 51% $730 0.2 22% $1,080 1.0 $984

8 CDG/ORY 0.8 90% $456 0.0 1% $1,724 0.9 $554

9 YUL 0.7 82% $320 0.1 13% $287 0.8 $321

10 BOM 0.2 30% $733 0.1 18% $591 0.7 $641

11 PEK 0.1 20% $851 0.4 63% $710 0.7 $722

12 CUN 0.5 89% $195 0.1 11% $193 0.6 $195

13 SJD 0.4 97% $264 0.4 $270

14 SJO 0.4 100% $386 0.4 $386

15 AMS 0.1 19% $287 0.3 81% $445 0.4 $416

16 YVR 0.3 85% $238 0.0 4% $458 0.4 $243

17 FCO 0.3 88% $636 0.0 8% $501 0.4 $622

18 HKG 0.2 62% $628 0.1 23% $577 0.4 $760

19 MAD 0.2 46% $369 0.4 $395

20 MNL 0.0 8% $463 0.3 85% $575 0.4 $556

21 MEX 0.3 96% $275 0.3 $280

22 BKK 0.1 41% $675 0.2 55% $766 0.3 $732

23 BRU 0.3 100% $526 0.3 $526

24 DEL 0.2 55% $613 0.1 18% $468 0.3 $522

25 EZE 0.3 91% $460 0.0 9% $729 0.3 $485

26 MAN 0.2 68% $544 0.1 32% $438 0.3 $510

27 SIN 0.2 73% $647 0.0 14% $524 0.3 $654

28 VIE 0.1 53% $296 0.0 5% $531 0.3 $325

29 PUS 0.1 39% $772 0.1 22% $425 0.2 $729

30 YOW 0.2 89% $187 0.0 11% $289 0.2 $198

30 Largest Markets 13.1 60% $480 3.5 16% $581 22 $585

All Markets 18.6 59% $504 5.5 17% $605 32 $604

American Delta/Northwest All Carriers
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

19

STRATEGIC PLAN

Goals

Champaign/Urbana has four goals for its Small Community Air Service Development Grant proposal:

 Build awareness of the service operated by American Eagle in Champaign

 Retain the remaining capacity operated by American Eagle

 Eventually increase enplanements, despite the loss of Delta's service

 Decrease leakage to surrounding airports

Detailed Explanation of Proposal

After declines in capacity and traffic over the last five years, Delta will exit the Champaign/Urbana market on 

August 31, 2010 and leave the community with only one airline for the first time in its recent history. The 

community must take action to preserve its remaining air service and seeks a Small Community Air Service 

Development Grant to establish a marketing, promotion and advertising program. 

In the past, the Airport relied on airlines to locally market, promote and advertise their service at Willard Airport; 

however, the financial condition of the industry over the last ten years has forced airlines to limit their marketing 

and advertising to only their largest markets. Small markets such as Champaign/Urbana were deemed too small,

and marketing and advertising budgets have been reduced effectively to zero in the small markets. Willard 

Airport recognizes the critical function of marketing and advertising air service, especially in a region like Central 

Illinois where service at other airports is an option for travelers in the Champaign/Urbana area. Without an 

effective, well-funded marketing and advertising program, the airport will be at risk of losing some or all of 

American Eagle's service, and without a reversal of the trend in declining traffic, the airport will not be able to 

attract new service from other airlines.

While Champaign/Urbana has the fortune of service to two of American's hubs – Chicago and Dallas/Ft. Worth –

many travelers in the area are not aware of the service and automatically look for options from other airports

when making travel arrangements without checking options from Champaign/Urbana. Travelers are conditioned 

to check and book options from other airports simply because they are not aware of the service available in 

Champaign/Urbana. Some travelers who are aware of service from Champaign/Urbana simply assume schedules

and fares at airports in Bloomington or Peoria are better than the options from their local airport.

The Airport believes a marketing campaign using multiple forms of media to include frequent radio, television, 

billboard, newspaper and targeted web advertising, along with targeted promotional activities such as ticket 
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

20

giveaways targeted at residents and businesses in the Airport's immediate catchment area will build awareness 

of the service available from Champaign/Urbana. In addition to media buys, the Airport plans to use a portion of 

the funding to enhance the functionality of its website (www.flycmi.com) so travelers in the area make the website 

a "go-to" portal for their travel planning. 

The Airport is seeking $250,000 in Small Community Air Service Development funding supplemented with 

$80,000 of community-contributed cash to begin a marketing and advertising campaign. The Airport anticipates 

the funding would be used over a two year period. At the end of two years, marketing and advertising would be 

self-funded by the Airport, albeit at a somewhat reduced level. 

The Airport has no marketing and advertising campaign at this time. Because the Airport is owned by the 

University of Illinois and because the University has its own marketing and promotional personnel, the Airport will 

work with University personnel to develop the Airport's marketing and advertising campaign. Leveraging these 

resources will enable the Airport to buy more media placement with the grant and local funds. Because there are 

other airports in Central Illinois, most media placement will be limited to the immediate Champaign/Urbana area. 

Marketing the airport in the catchment area of another airport would be ineffective, in most cases, relative to 

marketing in the Airport's immediate catchment area. 

The marketing and advertising campaign will have four primary messages;

 Convenience of the local airport

 Fares may be just as low as the fares at alternate airports

 Service is available to two hubs

 All service is operated with jets

The Airport believes its proposed marketing and advertising campaign will have an immediate impact on the 

awareness of airline service available from the local airport, play a key role in reversing the decline in the airport's 

traffic and ensure American Eagle retains its capacity in the Champaign/Urbana market.
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

21

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING

Public/Private Partnership

Champaign County Economic Development Corporation

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership dedicated to fostering 

a cooperative, county-wide approach to economic development. The organization coordinates with a number of 

other key organizations in the area to promote an environment in which business thrives.

Champaign County Alliance

The Champaign County Alliance is a service organization for the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, the 

Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Champaign County Convention and 

Visitors Bureau (CVB). The Alliance is made up of a board of directors with representation from the Chamber, the 

EDC and the CVB, plus the top investors (collectively) in the three organizations. These three top investors are 

the cities of Champaign and Urbana and the University of Illinois. 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (U of I, UIUC, or simply Illinois) is a public research university 

located in Urbana. 2009 enrollment was 31,209 undergraduate and 10,701 graduate students. UIUC is the 

oldest, largest, and most prestigious campus in the University of Illinois system. The University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign is the second oldest public university in the state, second to Illinois State University. The university 

has 17 colleges and instructional units offering more than 150 programs of study. Additionally, the university 

operates an extension that serves 2.7 million registrants per year around the state of Illinois and beyond. 
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

22

Project Funding

In addition to the Small Community Air Service Development Grant of $250,000 requested from the Department, 

the organizations within the community have committed to cash contributions totaling $80,000. Community cash 

contributions will be provided by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation ($20,000), the

Champaign County Alliance ($10,000) and the University of Illinois ($50,000). The university's funding will be 

provided by the Chancellor's Community Projects Fund. The planned total value of the program is $330,000, with 

24.2% of the funding coming from the community (Exhibit 14). 

Exhibit 14: Sources and Types of Program Funding 

Grant Cash In-Kind Total

Department of Transportation $250,000 $250,000

Community $80,000 $80,000

Airport $0

Total $250,000 $80,000 $0 $330,000
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

23

Implementation Timeline

Assuming the Department awards the Small Community Grant Funding in December 2010, the Airport will 

immediately begin implementing its proposed marketing and advertising program. The Airport will implement its 

proposed marketing and advertising campaigns with a sense of urgency, and it is in the interest of the community 

to implement the proposed campaign as quickly as possible.

The first task will be to execute the grant agreement with the Department. Once the agreement has been 

executed, an integrated marketing and advertising strategy and plan will be developed beginning in January 2011. 

Following development of the strategy and plan, content for the visual and audio portions of the strategy will be 

developed. Website enhancements will be developed in parallel with content development throughout the 

remainder of January and February 2011. The target date for roll-out of each aspect of the marketing and 

advertising plan is March 1, 2011. The Airport plans to manage funding of this grant to allow for two year's worth 

of marketing and advertising through December 31, 2012. At that time, marketing and advertising will continue, at 

a level based on the amount of continued funding from the community and funding in the Airport's budget (Exhibit 

15)

The Airport will submit grant status reports on a quarterly basis to the Department throughout the proposed two 

year term of the program through December 2012.

Exhibit 15: Proposed Project Timeline (assumes grant announcements in December 2010)

Activity/Project Milestone Estimated Dates

SCASD Grant Award Announcement December 2010

Develop Marketing and Advertising Strategy January 2011

Develop Ad Copy, Graphics and Audio Content January and February 2011

Marketing and Advertising Begins March 2011 - December 2012

SCASD Project Funding Expires December 2012

Program Continues with New Round of Community/Airport Funding January 2013
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

24

Project Monitoring and Success Metrics

The success of the program will be based on achieving the goals of the program. Because Delta will exit the 

market, year-over-year traffic will likely be down, but it should be down to a lesser extent if the proposed 

marketing and advertising program is implemented. Because a simple year-over-year comparison of traffic will 

not provide an adequate measure of the effectiveness of the marketing and advertising campaign in the first year 

Delta is not serving the community, the airport will compare the decline in traffic to the decline in capacity. If the 

proposed campaign is successful, traffic should not decline as much as the decline in capacity. The change in 

American Eagle's year-over-year load factor will also provide an indication of the program's success; the more 

effective the campaign, the higher American Eagle's load factor. 

 

Project Goals Success Metric

 Build awareness of the service operated by 

American Eagle in Champaign

 Retain the remaining capacity operated by 

American Eagle

 Eventually increase enplanements, despite the 

loss of Delta's service

 Decrease leakage to surrounding airports

 Traffic declines to a lesser extent than the decline 

in capacity caused by Delta's exit (Year One)

 Traffic increases year-over-year by month (Year 

Two)
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

25

Legal Sponsor

As the owner and operator of Willard Airport, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the legal sponsor 

responsible for administering the program. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a government entity.

University of Illinois Office of Capital Programs and Real Estate Services

807 South Wright Street, Suite 340, MC-309

Champaign, Illinois 61820

Bruce K. Walden, Director

Phone: 217-244-8496

Fax: 217-244-8802

bwalden@uillinois.edu

Financial Controls

As the sponsor, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will be the responsible party for all fiscal matters 

and the Department's reporting requirements. The University is established as a public governing body. As a 

public entity, the Department can be assured proper financial controls are in place to guarantee the Department’s 

Grant will be used in accordance with any subsequent agreement. The University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign understands the grant is a reimbursable grant, meaning the University is responsible for program 

expenditures and will submit invoices to the Department for reimbursement, based on a percentage of the total 

grant request.

Return on Investment

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Willard Airport will develop a cost effective and achievable 

marketing and advertising strategy to reverse negative enplanement trends at the Airport. The proposed plan will 

use proven methods of achieving air service improvements, allowing the DOT to be comfortable with choosing 

this proposal. The increased awareness of air service, increased enplanements on the service, and access to 

lower airfares, is in-line with the goals of the Department's Small Community Air Service Development Program. 
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

26

DOT Exit Strategy

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Willard Airport has developed this proposal as a one-time grant. 

Work on the proposed advertising and marketing program will begin as soon as this grant is awarded and last for 

a period of two years. It is projected that local enplanements will increase within the first few months of launching 

the marketing and advertising program in March 2011.
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

27

APPENDIX A: REQUIRED SUMMARY INFORMATION

A. Applicant Information

 Not a Consortium

 Interstate Consortium

 Intrastate Consortium

 Community now receives EAS subsidy

 Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Grant

If previous recipient:

Date of Grant: ____________________

Expiration Date of Grant: ____________________

B. Public/Private Partnerships

Public

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Private

Champaign County Economic Development Corporation

Champaign County Alliance

University of Illinois Chancellor's Office Community Projects Fund

C. Project Proposal 

 Marketing Upgrade Aircraft New Route

 Personnel Increase Frequency Low Fare Service

 Travel Bank Service Restoration Subsidy

 Surface Transportation Regional Service Other (specify)

 Revenue Guarantee Launch New Service

 Start-Up Cost Offset First Service

 Study Secure Additional Carrier
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

28

D. Existing Landing Aids at Local Airport

 Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker Published Instrument 

Approach

 Localizer Other (specify)

E. Project Cost

1. Federal amount requested: $250,000

2. State cash financial contribution:

3. Local cash financial contribution: $80,000

3a. Airport cash funds:

3b. Non-airport cash funds: $80,000

3c. Total local cash funds (3a + 3b): $80,000

4. TOTAL CASH FUNDING (1 + 2 + 3c): $330,000

5. Local funds contributed from alreadyexisting programs or projects included in 

line 3c amount:

6. Local funds contributed from new

commitments or new resources included in 

line 3c amount:

$80,000

7. Airport in-kind contribution:

(waived fees)

8. Other in-kind contribution:

(advertising/media placement)

9. TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION (7 + 8): $0

10. TOTAL PROJECT COST (4 + 9): $330,000

F. Enplanements

2000 121,183 2004 118,510 2008 102,946

2001 112,569 2005 133,853 2009 87,775

2002 111,159 2006 121,813

2003 96,447 2007 117,194

G. Is this application subject to review by state under Executive Order 

12372 Process?

 a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review 

on (date):

 b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the State for review.

 c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

29

H. Is this applicant delinquent on any federal debt?

 No Yes (explain)
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

30

APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY BACKGROUND

University of Illinois-Willard Airport Background

Willard Airport is one of only a handful of commercial airports in the 

country owned and operated by an educational institution. 

Willard Airport, often referred to by its FAA designation "CMI," was 

named for former University of Illinois president Arthur Cutts 

Willard. Formal dedication of the airport took place on October 26, 

1945 with the first scheduled airline service in 1954. 

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign established its 

nationally recognized Institute of Aviation at Willard Airport in 1946. 

The University takes full advantage of training and research 

opportunities made possible by the location of the Institute on the 

grounds of Willard Airport. 

Willard Airport covers 1,799 acres and has four runways 

of varying lengths: 3,817 ft. (asphalt), 5,299 ft. 

(concrete), 6,500 ft. (concrete) and 8,100 ft. (concrete).

The terminal is comprised of five gates. The passenger 

terminal offers a cafe, internet access throughout the 

terminal, an ATM machine and a conference room.

Willard Airport is also home to the private jet service 'FlightStar'. Flightstar’s 

line operations encompass meeting, marshalling, and parking of transient and 

locally based aircraft, all fueling operations at the airport, towing and hangaring 

in Flightstar’s 6 hangars as well as the University of Illinois’ Institute of 

Aviation’s hangars, baggage handling, deicing and ground handling. 
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

31

Champaign County Community Information

Life in Champaign County

Comprised of two distinct cities, Champaign and Urbana, as well as several smaller cities and outlying areas,

Champaign county offers its residents a unique quality of life. Home to one of the nation’s largest universities, 

inhabitants can make use of all of the perks of living in a college town; academics, athletics, fine dining, nightlife 

and the arts. And just steps away lies the calm, bucolic respite of outlying communities, which are home to 

Farmer’s Markets, antique shops and outdoor activities.

Champaign County is home to 192,561 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 7.19%. The 

median home cost in Champaign County is $118,800. Compared to the rest of the country, Champaign County 

enjoys a lower-than-average cost of living at 89.40 (national average: 100). The median age is 29.5 (permanent 

residents only). 

Major events include Roger Ebert’s Annual Film Festival, the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival, the Champaign 

Downtown Festival of the Arts and the Champaign Champagne Festival.

Champaign/Urbana Economic Overview

The unemployment rate in Champaign County, IL, is 8.50%, with job growth of -4.27%. Future job growth over the 

next ten years is predicted to be 22.96%. The income per capita is $23,875, which includes all adults and 

children. The median household income is $44,401.

Champaign County enjoys the support of local leadership in developing new business prospects, as well as 

tourism opportunities. The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership 

dedicated to fostering a cooperative, county-wide approach to economic development. The Champaign County 

Chamber of Commerce is an association of over 1,100 area businesses (representing over 60,000 employees) 

that have joined together to advance the economic health of Champaign County and helps to shape the business 

climate in Champaign County. The Champaign County Convention and Visitors Bureau provides guidance, 

contacts and assistance to ensure successful events. Finally, the Illini Entrepreneurship Center, provided by the 

Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Illinois, partners with respected business 

development organizations and educational institutions that work with clients who have the vision and potential to 

become a high-growth enterprise.
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

32

Employment in Champaign County

Major Employers in Champaign County

Firm Employees

University of Illinois 10,500

Carle Clinic Association 2,919

Carle Foundation Hospital 2,750

Kraft Foods, Inc. 1,325

Provena Covenant Med. Center 1,200

Parkland Community College 1,200

Wal-Mart 1,050

Champaign County 887

Plastipak Packaging 800

Christie Clinic Association 740

Hobbico 700

Jeld-Wen 675

Amdocs 620

Devonshire Group 590

Meijer Stores 584

Herff Jones Cap & Gown 550

Busey Bank 544

Source: Champaign County Economic Development Corporation 2009

What’s new in Champaign County

The Research Park at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) provides an environment where 

technology-based businesses can work with the research faculty and students at UIUC to take advantage of 

opportunities for collaborative research and easy access to University labs, equipment, and services. Located on 

campus, the Research Park is already home to more than 70 companies and growing, employing over 1,400 

people in high-technology careers. At any given time over 400 UIUC student interns with leading-edge technical 

skills are working in these companies gaining valuable work experience while making real contributions to internal 

corporate R&D and product development programs. While some of these companies do not have the number of 

employees to rank in the top 10 yet, their contributions to this emerging research park and the local community is 

exciting nonetheless.

Illumia Corporation is a new safety and risk consulting business that provides Safety Culture measurement 

services. The team’s work in this area began in the mid 1990s and grew with the assistance of grants to the 

University of Illinois from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, to 

develop tools to measure the culture of safety and risk and apply them in distributed environments. Initial clients 

are commercial aviation operators. Illumia will develop an online delivery system to provide survey services.
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

33

Two companies new to the research park in 2010 are Aptimmune and Dioxide Materials. The former is a 

company known for developing the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) vaccine for 

swine based on a proprietary cell line known as ZMAC. This economically important pandemic disease causes 

reproductive failure in breeding stock and respiratory tract illness in young pigs. The latter is a new startup 

developing technology for the conversion of CO2 into fuels and chemicals via artificial photosynthesis from 

Professor Rich Masel's research labs.

Already, the UI Research Park is home to seven Fortune 500 

companies: Caterpillar, State Farm, Deere & Co., Archer-DanielsMidland, Science Applications International Corp., Yahoo and 

Qualcomm. Other companies in the research park include PrintEco, 

which makes plug-ins for MS office, Internet Explorer, Outlook and 

Firefox; and EnvirGen, Inc., which is a world leader of research and 

development in nutraceutical/pharmaceutical products.

Select Company Profiles

Officially integrated into one organization in April 2010, the Carle 

Foundation includes Carle Foundation Hospital and related health care 

services, Carle Foundation Physician Services, Carle Physician 

Group (formerly Carle Clinic) and Health Alliance Medical Plans. For 

more than 20 years, Carle has advanced medicine by offering patients access to treatment options known as 

clinical trials. These research initiatives offer new insight into how to combat a disease, demonstrate new ways of 

thinking about treatment and possible cures. With 5,669 employees, the travel requirements of this internationally 

known medical foundation require convenience and efficiency.

Kraft Foods

Kraft, which is based in Northfield, IL has a huge presence in Illinois, with 

nine plants that employ 8,000 people. Kraft operates 175 plants worldwide. 

The Champaign plant makes a variety of the company's most popular food 

items and is one of the newest facilities in the company. The Champaign 

factory, which opened in 1963, is one of the largest food-processing plants in the world. It covers 130 acres and 

has an assessed valuation of nearly $22 million, meaning it has a huge impact on the local economy of 

Champaign County.
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

34

Hobbico

Hobbico is the largest retail and wholesale distributor of radio-control hobby 

products in the world and one of the most progressive companies in the 

Champaign/Urbana area. Hobbico consists of 4 basic divisions and employs more 

than 600 people at the central Illinois headquarters. Hobbico is a stable, financially 

strong company that has grown tremendously in sales as well as profitability.

JELD-WEN

JELD-WEN is a nationwide, comprehensive source for reliable wood, vinyl 

and aluminum windows and patio doors; wood and molded wood fiber 

interior doors; wood, steel, fiberglass exterior doors; and garage doors. Headquartered in Klamath Fall, OR, JeldWen has manufacturing, sales and distribution locations throughout the country and the world.

Higher Education

Life in Champaign/Urbana centers around the University of Illinois. It is 

the state’s classic land grant university, dedicated to its traditional 

excellence in education, research, and public engagement, and driven to 

innovate in each of these missions.

More than 2,000 Urbana-Champaign faculty members lead more than 

40,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students in a process 

of discovery and learning in 16 colleges and schools and more than 80 research centers and labs. The Urbana 

campus faculty and alumni are internationally renowned. Many faculty members have been elected to 

membership in the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the American 

Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Students and scholars find the University an ideal place to conduct research. The Beckman Institute for Advanced 

Science and Technology is a model for interdisciplinary research, where eighteen research groups from sixteen 

University departments work within and across three broadly defined themes: biological intelligence, humancomputer intelligent interaction, and molecular and electronic nanostructures. The University is also home to the 

National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).

With a faculty team so engaged in regional, national and international research, the need for enhanced air service 

is great. As part of the Division 1, Big Ten athletic program, the travel requirements of so many teams could be 
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

35

made more efficient with a wider range of travel options. And with such an enormous student body, expanded air 

service would serve both student travels, as well as the travels of visiting friends and family. 

Parkland Community College

Parkland College is a fully 

accredited, public community 

college established to serve the needs 

of District 505, the third largest 

community college district in 

Illinois. Parkland has a current enrollment of nearly 12,000 students and employs approximately 1,200 faculty and 

staff. The college has become a center for educational opportunity and community enrichment in east central 

Illinois and has earned a national reputation for its excellent academic standards, innovative programs, and 

quality instruction.

Built on 255 acres of landscaped grounds in Champaign, Illinois, Parkland is centrally located and accessible to 

all 54 communities in the district. Our beautiful, quiet campus is situated near the intersection of interstate

highways 57, 72, and 74 and is just a seven- to 10-minute drive from the University of Illinois campus. It takes 

about 2 1/2 hours to reach Parkland from downtown Chicago and Indianapolis, and 3 hours from St. Louis. 

Our facilities include more than 85 classrooms, 60 specialized labs, a library collection of over 120,000 volumes, 

an FM radio station, an educational TV station, an experimental agricultural land laboratory, an art gallery, and 

excellent physical education and recreation facilities, including a fitness center. Our cultural center contains a 

320-seat performing arts theater and a 50-foot dome planetarium, the second largest in Illinois. Parkland also has 

a child development center to serve the needs of faculty, staff, students, and families in our community.

Tourism in Champaign County
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

36

Champaign County has more diverse attractions to draw visitors than most counties of comparable size can 

claim. Much of the area’s attractions center around the University of Illinois, which provides amenities such as a 

world-class art museum, theater programs and Division I, Big Ten Athletics. However, tourist attractions do not 

stop there. Beyond the University, Champaign County offers the visitor fine dining, museums and shopping.

Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum

The Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum is a premier showcase of Illinois Aviation and the 77 year history 

of Chanute Air Force Base. The museum encompasses over 126,000 sq. ft. of display space, boasting the 

largest aerospace museum in Illinois. Special memorial items are dedicated in honor of pioneer aviators Illinois 

and Chanute AFB commanders and heroes. A gift show, visitors reception suite, library, Children's Discover 

Room, snack bar, and helpful volunteers await visitor's arrival.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

What Lincoln Center is to New York and Kennedy Center is to Washington D.C., Krannert Center is to the 

Midwest - a magnificent showcase for the performing arts. Krannert Center differs from its East Coast 

counterparts in that it is first and foremost a place for education. A professional laboratory for the University 

dance, theatre, opera, and music departments, the Center also hosts internationally famous artists.

Orpheum Children's Science Museum

The Orpheum Children's Science Museum, located in the 1914 Orpheum Theatre, is one of the finest buildings in 

downstate Illinois. Children of all ages are given the opportunity to learn science at their own pace in an informal 

setting.

Spurlock Museum

The Spurlock Museum celebrates the people of the world with featured galleries of Africa, Ancient Egypt and 

Mesopotamia, Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania, the Americans, and the Ancient Mediterranean.

Special facilities include a focus gallery for temporary exhibits, learning center, auditorium, and educational 

resource center. 
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

37

Early American Museum

The Early American Museum has an extensive collection interpreting 19th and early 20th century life in EastCentral Illinois. Two floors of exhibits present architecture, trades and occupations, decorative arts, and 

childhood and domestic life of the time. The Discovery Room offers hands-on opportunities for children to interact 

and learn about the residents of the Grand Prairie. Educational programs are offered for all ages throughout the 

year. 

William M. Staerkel Planetarium

The second-largest planetarium in Illinois is part of Parkland College's Cultural Center. The planetarium uses a 

Zeiss Star Projector to project 7,600 visible stars on the 50-ft dome. State of the art audio-visual equipment and 

special effects help visitors learn about the stars and planets and experience the perspective of the larger 

universe. In addition to regular features, the planetarium also offers children's shows, rock-n-roll light shows, and 

special seasonal presentations. 

Wandell Sculpture Garden

The Wandell Sculpture Garden was established in honor of Willett and Celia Wandell in 1998. This unique, free 

outdoor sculpture garden sits among 22-acres of re-created Illinois tall grass prairie in a 130-acre community 

park. While walking the path, one can encounter bikers, joggers, and other sculpture lovers, as the park serves 

both recreational and educational purposes. Works from local artists who have ties with the University of Illinois 

grace the garden.
 

 

University of Illinois Willard Airport Serving the Communities of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

38

APPENDIX C: LETTER OF SUPPORT