2025 Member Accolades and News

MEMBER NEWS

Champaign Housing Market Update: Strong Seller’s Conditions in March Champaign County’s housing market remained strong for sellers in March, with rising prices and limited inventory creating a competitive environment—especially for younger and mid-career buyers.

According to the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®, 166 homes were sold last month, down six percent from March 2024. Despite the dip, the median home price rose 19 percent year over year to $237,500, outpacing the statewide increase of five percent. Active listings rose to 540 units by mid-March, a 13 percent increase from the previous month.

However, inventory remains 18 percent below March 2024, keeping conditions favorable for sellers. Mortgage rates held steady below seven percent, helping spur more activity this spring compared to last year. Pending home sales were down 22 percent year over year, but REALTORS® remain optimistic as seasonal momentum builds. “The spring market tends to bring more movement— both in inventory and buyer interest,” said Jayme Ahlden, president of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) and broker with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group. “With mortgage rates holding relatively steady and homes selling quickly, it’s still a great time for sellers to list—and for buyers to lean on their REALTOR® to act fast and strategically.” Trust in REALTORS® remains strong. The latest data from the National Association of REALTORS® shows 88 percent of buyers would work with their agent again—a number even higher among Gen X and Silent Generation buyers. CCAR continues to provide tools and insights to help members and clients succeed in a shifting market.

Champaign County Housing Market Update: Home Sales Remain Low in May as Prices Continue to Rise While the Champaign County area experienced a slower month for home sales, demand remains strong.

May 2025 saw 215 homes sold in Champaign County, an 11 percent decrease compared to last year but a slight increase from April. So far this year, 843 homes have sold, down 7.26 percent from the same period in 2024. Despite fewer sales, home prices remain strong with the median sale price reaching $259,900, which is 13 percent higher than last year and 14 percent higher than April. Pending sales dropped 5.1 percent with 205 homes going under contract, signaling a cautious start to summer. Mortgage rates remained steady at an average 6.84 percent for a 30-year fixed loan in mid-June. These factors continue to affect buyer affordability and demand. “Sellers continue to benefit from strong pricing power, but affordability challenges and economic uncertainty are influencing buyer behavior,” said Jayme Ahlden, President of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®.

Rosecrance Community launches self-service health monitoring stations in Champaign and Rockford. These kiosks enable clients to easily measure their Body Mass Index, blood pressure, pulse and weight within a minute. The full press release can be found on their website: www.rosecrance.org/news/rosecrance-community-launches-self-servicehealth-monitoring-stations-in-champaign-and-rockford

First Mid Bank & Trust's third consecutive Top Workplaces award in financial services industry reflects the company's ongoing commitment to cultivating a supportive and empowering workplace. With recognition based entirely on employee feedback, the honor underscores the strength of First Mid's culture and alignment with its mission and values. This achievement adds to the organization of growing list of workplace honors, reinforcing its dedication to putting people first.

The Midland States Bank Foundation is accepting applications for its spring and fall grant cycles, offering funding ranging from $7,500 to $25,000 to eligible nonprofits serving Midland's communities. Grants support initiatives in education; workforce development; financial empowerment; housing; small business development; and health and wellness—with special consideration for projects benefiting low- to moderate-income populations. Interested organizations can apply electronically within the following windows: spring (February 1–March 31; decisions by June 30) and fall (August 1–September 30; decisions by December 31). For eligibility details and the online application, visit the Foundation's page: midlandsb.com/about-us/foundation

Hickory Point Bank has welcomed two new team members to its Champaign-Urbana mortgage lending team. Austin Phillips joins as vice president, mortgage lending, bringing more than seven years of experience in mortgage lending. Wes Hanner joins as mortgage loan originator with over a decade in real estate and business ownership. Find their contact information on Hickory Point Bank's website.

Midland States Bank has named John Kempen as market president and Laurie Coward as commercial relationship manager for the Champaign market. Both bring extensive experience in commercial banking and will support the bank's growth and client relationships across East Central Illinois. They join an established local team at Midland's full-service branch, 1617 W. Springfield Ave. in Champaign.

Cunningham Children's Home has been awarded Accreditation with Commendation from the EAGLE Commission, the only faith-based accreditation program for health and human service organizations in the U.S. This recognition highlights Cunningham's commitment to excellence in care, operations and faith-based mission. The accreditation lasts four years, with annual reporting requirements.

Jenny Shima, owner of The Literary in downtown Champaign, for being named a 2025 Outstanding Young Person of Illinois by the Illinois Jaycees. She is recognized in the category of Business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment. The award banquet will be held October 4 at Embassy Suites in East Peoria.

First Mid Insurance Group has once again been named a Best Practices Agency by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and Reagan Consulting. This marks the sixth time the company has earned the designation, placing it among an elite group of independent insurance agencies nationwide.
For the 2025 study year, 1,146 agencies were nominated, with only 348 qualifying for recognition. Agencies are evaluated on business practices, performance and client service. First Mid Insurance Group, one of the largest independent brokers in the Midwest, has served customers since 1913 with tailored insurance and benefits solutions.

CRIS Healthy Aging recently joined in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA). For six decades, the OAA has connected older adults to services that support independence, health and dignity at home and in their communities. The Act is recognized as one of the most successful public private partnerships, leveraging $3 for every $1 of federal investment.

The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® reports that July home sales dipped to 270 properties, while the median sale price rose to $255,000, a 5.8 percent increase from last year. Inventory levels reached their highest point since 2020, yet higher borrowing costs continue to challenge first-time and younger buyers.

First Mid recently announced several additions to its team. Debbie Tyler has joined First Mid Insurance Group as Senior Solutions Account Executive and Derrick Helm, Sr. has joined First Mid Bank & Trust as Mortgage CRA Loan Officer (NMLS# 2686083) serving the Champaign-Urbana market. Kelly Jackson will return to First Mid Wealth Management as Retirement Services Operations Manager.

First Mid Ag Services, a division of First Mid Wealth Management, has announced an agreement to acquire Ray Farm Management Services, Inc., based in Princeton, Illinois. The transaction is expected to close on December 30, 2025.

The University of Illinois Research Park marked its 25th anniversary with a community celebration on October 8 as part of Founders Week. Established in 2000, the Research Park has grown from farmland into a thriving innovation hub with 19 buildings, more than 100 companies and over 2,000 employees. According to a recent economic impact assessment, the park has contributed $1.8 billion in employment impact over the past five years and generated $15 million annually in local and state taxes. A new sculpture, Fly Away Home by Illinois artist Andrew Arvanetes, was also unveiled to commemorate the milestone.

The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) has announced its 2025–26 Board of Directors, with Deana Gauze of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group installed as president. Gauze brings more than two decades of real estate experience and has been an active leader within CCAR since 2021. Joining her in leadership are President-Elect Casey Ryan of RE/MAX Realty Associates-Champaign and Treasurer Nick Ward of Joel Ward Homes, Inc. The new board represents a diverse range of brokerages and deep expertise in the local real estate industry.

Cunningham Children’s Home is celebrating 130 years of serving youth and families in Champaign County. Since opening its doors in 1895 as an orphanage, Cunningham has grown to serve nearly 1,000 children and families each year through residential treatment, special education and community-based programs.