Liberal Place: Champaign-Urbana, IL

However, because there's a major university here, and because we have so many issues to work on, there's a well-established network of social activism that people can plug into fairly easily. And despite the essential conservatism of the University of Illinois and the town, there is dialogue about the issues and there's a lot of good work being done. A center of social justice activism in C-U is the Illinois Disciples Foundation with its Progressive Resource Action Coalition, Food Co-op, and other progressive programs; other campus religious foundations support similar programs to various extents.

The community is conservative, but in a low-key sort of way. Overt/violent racism and harassment of leftists are not common everyday occurrences and are not accepted by the majority of the population. The town tolerates a couple of openly gay night spots and a gay/lesbian/bi/trans community center, and attends the concerts of Amasong, the local Lesbian and Feminist Chorus. A local clinic which provides abortions is rarely if ever picketed.

...and another comment...

As a native of Champaign-Urbana I'm rather appalled that it would get a "thumbs up". Do you not realize the extent of prejudice that is prevalent there. I lived and worked there for over twenty years.

The major medical facility has long been known as hesitant to hire African Americans and Jews. That I can understand not being noticed by some but the majority of people have known about it for a long, long time. But don't stand there and say that this town is liberal when it insists on degrading Native Americans by having a Native American mascot for the University.

Their "Chief Illini" is not honoring Native Americans as the University would ask you to believe. It is a slap on the face to the Native American population.