Champaign's honorary street names end at 10 years

CHAMPAIGN - The 41 honorary street-name signs around Champaign now can't stay up more than 10 years and the lifespan of the first one to go expired Sunday.

Fourth Street has carried a sign indicating it is also Honorary Burnham Boulevard in memory of Burnham City Hospital. The hospital has been closed for years, but long served city residents.

According to The News-Gazette, earlier this year the City Council decided signs should be removed after 10 years because too many applications for new signs are coming in. Even very popular signs like the one honoring former University of Illinois basketball coach Lou Henson and his wife, Mary, will eventually come down.

People can apply to have signs put up again but no more than four can be added in any year.