In the first debate for Urbana mayor, the three Democrats - all women - focused on two main themes - crime and policing, as well as business development and taxes. About 60 people filled the Urbana City Building to watch Monday's event organized by the League of Women Voters of Champaign County. The three-way Democratic primary pits incumbent Mayor Laurel Prussing against Alderwoman Diane Marlin and Rev. Evelyn Burnett Underwood.

Engineer and land surveyor Rex Bradfield is launching another campaign for the office of Urbana mayor. With three Democrats in the race, that means there will be a competitive general election for the office in April. Bradfield has twice lost to incumbent Laurel Prussing, in 2009 and 2013. He says Urbana city government needs to to more to lure business to the city, and says funds have been wasted on downtown projects like the Boneyard Creek beautification.

There are now three candidates vying to win election as Mayor of Urbana next spring --- all Democrats, and all women.

The Reverend Evelyn Burnett Underwood is the latest to make her candidacy official, with an announcement on Wednesday.

Urbana Alderman Aaron Ammons says he has decided not to run for mayor next spring.

 While thanking those who had encouraged him to run for mayor, Ammons said in a statement that “I have decided right now my time and energy is best utilized by serving the people of my ward.”

Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing is seeking a fourth term in 2017, making the annoucement at her Urbana home Wednesday. There could be a 3-way race for the office in the February Democratic primary, with Urbana Alderwoman Diane Marlin running, and fellow city council member Aaron Ammons reportedly weighing a run for the city's top office.