Charleston Illinois Tourism Office

06/19/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Charleston Parks & Recreation Department Provides Update on Rotary Community Aquatic Center
Charleston, Illinois — June 19, 2026 — The City of Charleston Parks & Recreation Department would like to provide an update regarding the Rotary Community Aquatic Center following the recent damage sustained at the facility.
Cleanup efforts are currently underway, and staff are actively assessing the full extent of the damage. At this time, the Rotary Community Aquatic Center remains closed while evaluations and necessary repairs are conducted. The Department is working diligently to determine when the facility can safely reopen to the public.
To help minimize disruptions for our patrons, 2026 Rotary Community Aquatic Center Season Pass holders will be able to use their Charleston season passes at Mattoon's Lytle Pool beginning Saturday, June 20, 2026, until the Rotary Community Aquatic Center reopens. Season Pass holders must present either their physical season pass card or a photo of the pass barcode for admission.
Punch Card holders may exchange their remaining punch card visits for single-day admission passes to Lytle Pool. Exchanges will be available at the Rotary Community Aquatic Center during the following times, or visit the Parks & Recreation Department during regular business hours:

Saturday, June 20: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 21: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

At this time, the Department is unable to provide a timeline for reopening the Rotary Community Aquatic Center. Once staff have completed a comprehensive assessment of the damages, additional information will be shared with the community.

Season Pass holders who would prefer to request a full refund or defer their 2026 season pass to the 2027 season may contact the Parks & Recreation Department by email at [email protected].

The City of Charleston Parks & Recreation Department appreciates the patience, understanding, and support of our residents during this time. We are committed to keeping the community informed as more information becomes available, and we look forward to welcoming patrons back to the Rotary Community Aquatic Center as soon as it is safe to do so.

For additional information, please contact the City of Charleston Parks & Recreation Department 217-345-6897.
See

Charleston Disaster Relief Several homes in our community sustained significant damage from falling tree limbs after the tornado. If you or someone you know needs help, chainsaw work, debris cleanup, tarping a roof, or anything else, please let us know by filling out this short form so our volunteer...

06/19/2026

Public Notice – Storm Relief Food Distribution
PUBLIC FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITE
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: Starting at 11:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
Location: Eastern Illinois University Doudna Fine Arts Center 1860 South Ninth Street, Charleston, IL Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Food and refreshments will be provided at no cost to individuals and families affected by the storm. Community members in need are encouraged to attend.
The Doudna Fine Arts Center is located on the Eastern Illinois University campus near the intersection of 9th Street and Garfield Avenue.
For the safety of all attendees and to help maintain an orderly traffic flow, please follow the designated traffic route. Vehicles should travel south on 9th Street from Lincoln Avenue and enter the east parking lot from 9th Street. Upon exiting, vehicles should proceed onto Hayes Avenue and then back to 9th Street. Please refer to this map for additional guidance.
Organizations, businesses, and members of the public wishing to assist those impacted by the storm may also drop off food items only at the Doudna Fine Arts Center. Community support is greatly appreciated as recovery efforts continue.
****PLEASE NOTE: THIS WILL BE THE LAST CITY PLANNED FOOD DISTRIBUTION****
For additional information, please contact Dennis Malak at (217)-549-3352.
See

Charleston Disaster Relief Several homes in our community sustained significant damage from falling tree limbs after the tornado. If you or someone you know needs help, chainsaw work, debris cleanup, tarping a roof, or anything else, please let us know by filling out this short form so our volunteer...

06/19/2026

Charleston Disaster Relief
Several homes in our community took significant damage from falling tree limbs after the tornado. If you or someone you know needs help — chainsaw work, debris cleanup, tarping a roof, or anything else — let us know.
Fill out this short form so our volunteer team can assess needs and coordinate help:
https://forms.gle/7o8CN3rmkWYx6yw57
Submitting the form doesn't guarantee assistance — we'll work through requests as volunteers and resources become available. If your situation is urgent or unsafe, please don't wait on us — call emergency services.
Stay safe, Charleston. We're in this together.
www.charlestonillinois.org/storm

For Immediate Release8:00 am, June 19, 2026The City of Charleston reminds residents to please avoid blocking fire hydrants with brush and limbs from the storm. Fire hydrants should have 3 feet of clearance at all times. Please make sure your piles of brush are distanced from the hydrants. Public No...

06/19/2026

Operation BBQ Relief will be at three locations today serving Charleston residents impacted by the storm.

Operation BBQ Relief has deployed to Charleston, Illinois, in response to the devastating tornado. We’re on the ground serving hot meals and hope to families and first responders

❤️FREE MEAL DISTRIBUTION TODAY!❤️
📅Date: Friday, June 19, 2026

✅Double-check the location and time before heading out.
✅Locations change daily, so stay updated!

Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit founded by Kansas City pitmasters, feeds communities after disasters and enriches heroes’ lives every day. Since 2011, we’ve provided over 13 million meals to communities far and wide.

How can you help us feed more people impacted by disasters?

✅Donate at OBR.org to help fuel our mission to feed communities after disasters and enrich heroes' lives every day.
✅Register to volunteer or learn more at OBR.org
✅Follow us on social media and share our posts

⬇️ TODAY’S FREE BBQ SITES AND TIMES⬇️

📍Walmart
2250 Lincoln Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
🕒11 a.m. until run out, 4 p.m. until run out

📍Northside Baptist Church
414 N 5th St
Charleston, IL 61920
🕒11 a.m. until run out, 4 p.m. until run out

📍Doudna Fine Art Center
1860 South Ninth St
Charleston, IL 61920
🕒11 a.m. until run out, 4 p.m. until run out

06/19/2026

For Immediate Release
8:00 am, June 19, 2026

The City of Charleston reminds residents to please avoid blocking fire hydrants with brush and limbs from the storm. Fire hydrants should have 3 feet of clearance at all times. Please make sure your piles of brush are distanced from the hydrants.
See www.charlestonillinois.org/storm for updates on the storm recovery efforts.

Public Notice – Storm Relief Food DistributionFriday, June 19, Time: Starting at 12:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.TWO PUBLIC FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITESNorth SiteLocation: North Side Baptist Church, 414 North 5th Street, Charleston, Illinois.Food and refreshments will be provided at no cost to individuals and fam...

06/19/2026

Public Notice – Storm Relief Food Distribution
Friday, June 19, Time: Starting at 12:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.

TWO PUBLIC FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES
North Site
Location: North Side Baptist Church, 414 North 5th Street, Charleston, Illinois.

Food and refreshments will be provided at no cost to individuals and families affected by the storm. Community members in need are encouraged to attend.
For the safety of all attendees and to help maintain an orderly traffic flow, please follow the designated traffic route. Vehicles should travel north or south on North 4th Street, and enter the parking lot off of North 4th, and exit the parking lot to North 5th Street. Upon exiting, vehicles should proceed onto North 5th.
See www.charlestonillinois.org/storm for a reference map

SOUTH SITE
In response to the severe storms that impacted the Charleston area on June 17, 2026, free food, bottled water, and refreshments will be available to community members affected by the storm at the Doudna Fine Arts Center on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.
Location: Eastern Illinois University Doudna Fine Arts Center
1860 South Ninth Street, Charleston, IL
Food and refreshments will be provided at no cost to individuals and families affected by the storm. Community members in need are encouraged to attend.
The Doudna Fine Arts Center is located on the Eastern Illinois University campus near the intersection of 9th Street and Garfield Avenue.
For the safety of all attendees and to help maintain an orderly traffic flow, please follow the designated traffic route. Vehicles should travel south on 9th Street from Lincoln Avenue and enter the east parking lot from 9th Street. Upon exiting, vehicles should proceed onto Hayes Avenue and then back to 9th Street. Please refer to www.charlestonillinois.org/storm for a reference map
Organizations, businesses, and members of the public wishing to assist those impacted by the storm may also drop off food items only at the Doudna Fine Arts Center. Community support is greatly appreciated as recovery efforts continue.
For additional information, please contact Dennis Malak at (217)-549-3352.

Public Notice – Storm Relief Food DistributionFriday, June 19, Time: Starting at 12:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.TWO PUBLIC FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITESNorth SiteLocation: North Side Baptist Church, 414 North 5th Street, Charleston, Illinois.Food and refreshments will be provided at no cost to individuals and fam...

06/18/2026

Storm Recovery Update
As recovery efforts continue throughout the City of Charleston following the severe storms, City officials would like to provide the following update to residents.
Utility crews from Ameren Illinois and Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative continue working to restore power to affected areas of the community. At the same time, City crews continue debris removal operations and reopening roadways throughout the city. All City services remain fully operational, and personnel from the Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Department will continue assisting with recovery efforts as needed. Residents are reminded to exercise caution while traveling throughout the community. Although progress has been made, hazardous conditions may still exist, including downed power lines, hanging tree limbs, and other storm-related debris. Please remain alert and avoid areas where utility crews are actively working. The City’s leaf and limb drop-off site, located on West Madison Avenue west of the Coles County Fairgrounds, will remain open for residents and contractors to dispose of storm-related tree limbs and brush. Please note that no household trash or construction debris will be accepted at this location.
Debris should not be placed on the roadway, as it could impede emergency response vehicles or cause an accident. Additional information regarding a citywide limb pickup schedule will be released as recovery operations progress. The City is also coordinating a second day of free lunch and dinner distribution for the public on Friday, June 19, 2026. Distribution locations will again include the Doudna Fine Arts Center on the campus of Eastern Illinois University, as well as a new location at North Side Baptist Church at 414 N 5th Street. Additional details regarding distribution times and traffic flow patterns will be released later this evening. The City of Charleston extends its sincere gratitude to the many local and state agencies, community organizations, volunteers, businesses, and residents who have provided assistance, donations, and support during this recovery effort. Your generosity and willingness to help neighbors has been instrumental in the community’s response and recovery.

Park and Recreation's Day Camp Program UpdateSummer Day Camp will not be hosted on Friday, June 19th due to storm damage and cleanup efforts. Households will be notified for a date of return next week. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE3:30 pm, June 18 :: City of Charleston - Food Available at Seaton Field for ...

06/18/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3:30 pm, June 18 :: City of Charleston - Food Available at Seaton Field for Charleston Residents Impacted by Storm
Charleston residents unable to travel to EIU's campus may pick up free food and drink starting at 3:30 pm at Seaton Field on Charleston's north side, N Division St.
www.charlestonillinois.org/storm

06/18/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1:30 pm, June 18 :: City of Charleston - Food Delivery for Charleston Residents Impacted by Storm
Charleston residents who are unable to travel to EIU’s Doudna Fine Arts Center for food and water may request delivery to their homes. Please contact DFAC’s Director of Programming, Dennis Malak at (217)-549-3352 to request delivery of food and drink.
See www.charlestonillinois.org/storm for updates on the storm recovery.

06/18/2026

Please stay informed about recovery efforts at www.charlestonillinois.org/storm
Date: June 18, 2026
Time: Starting at 12:00p.m.
Public Notice – Storm Relief Food Distribution
In response to the severe storms that impacted the Charleston area on June 17, 2026, free food, bottled water, and refreshments will be available to community members affected by the storm at the Doudna Fine Arts Center on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.
Location: Eastern Illinois University Doudna Fine Arts Center 1860 South Ninth Street, Charleston, IL
Food and refreshments will be provided at no cost to individuals and families affected by the storm. Community members in need are encouraged to attend.
The Doudna Fine Arts Center is located on the Eastern Illinois University campus near the intersection of 9th Street and Garfield Avenue.
For the safety of all attendees and to help maintain an orderly traffic flow, please follow the designated traffic route. Vehicles should travel south on 9th Street from Lincoln Avenue and enter the east parking lot from 9th Street. Upon exiting, vehicles should proceed onto Hayes Avenue and then back to 9th Street. Please refer to the map below of the area for additional guidance or visit the webpage www.charlestonillinois.org/storm.
Organizations, businesses, and members of the public wishing to assist those impacted by the storm may also drop off food items only at the Doudna Fine Arts Center. Community support is greatly appreciated as recovery efforts continue.
For additional information, please contact Dennis Malak at (217)-549-3352.
The City of Charleston extends its sincere appreciation to Eastern Illinois University, community organizations, volunteers, and donors for their assistance in supporting residents during these recovery efforts.