Champaign City Council member faces controversy as Davion Williams continues absence

The Champaign City Council met on Tuesday evening with one member noticeably absent — Councilman Davion Williams. This marks the third consecutive meeting that Williams has missed, following a series of controversies that have led to growing calls for his resignation.

By Elizabeth Hess March 5, 2025 10:28 am

Chambana TodayCanvaProChampaign City Councilman Davion Williams has continued his absence from council meetings three weeks in a row.

CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The Champaign City Council met on Tuesday evening with one member noticeably absent — Councilman Davion Williams. This marks the third consecutive meeting that Williams has missed, following a series of controversies that have led to growing calls for his resignation.

Williams, who has not attended a meeting since February 4, first attracted attention for remarks made about Jewish people during a council meeting in December. The situation escalated in January when he posted a swastika on his social media, later defending the post in the comments. His actions have sparked outrage from the local Jewish community and beyond, leading to numerous public comments during council meetings condemning his behavior.

Following the swastika incident, Williams has faced intense scrutiny and backlash. On several occasions, Mayor Feinen and the rest of the city council publicly denounced his actions. However, according to Feinen, there is currently no formal mechanism to remove a sitting council member, leaving Williams’ future on the council in his own hands.

As the controversy continues, the future of Davion Williams’ role on the council remains uncertain. The city council has not received a response from Williams after multiple requests for comment.