Public gathered for 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Countywide celebration

Illinois Rep. Carol Ammons delivered keynote as community leaders were honored at Krannert Center.

Chambana TodayDuring the ceremony, three community members were recognized for their work in upholding the principles and ideals of Dr. King.

URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The public gathered Sunday evening for the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Countywide Celebration at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana.

A choir kicked off the festivities at 4:40, and the program featured Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons as the keynote speaker. Mayor Deb Frank Feinen of Champaign and DeShawn Williams of Urbana read a proclamation.

During the ceremony, three community members were recognized for their work in upholding the principles and ideals of Dr. King:

Dr. Jeffery Trask received the James R. Burgess Jr./Susan Freiburg Humanitarian Award
Dr. Stephanie Cockrell was honored with the Doris Hoskins Prestigious Community Service Award
Martel Miller received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award

The free event was open to the public and was supported by Parkland College, the City of Champaign, the City of Urbana, Champaign County, the Village of Rantoul, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.