Located approximately nine miles south of Urbana, Illinois, Philo is a small village found in Champaign County. As of 2010, approximately 1,500 people called the community home. Philo was named for founder Philo Hale, and the area is part of the Unit 7 School district located in Tolono. Residents will attend Unity High School, although the community Is home to St. Thomas – a Catholic grade school.

Although growing, Philo is a small community that isn’t home to any major attractions. However, there are several notable businesses located in the area, including some great restaurants. Some of the most popular are Daly’s Sports Bar and Philo Tavern, and after a good meal, visitors might like to spend some time shipping at J & B Farm Toys and the Dollar General. Fortunately for area residents, Champaign is located quite close to Philo, making attractions like Krannel Art Museum, the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, and the Staerkel Planetarium easily accessible.

The weather in Philo will vary with the changing of the seasons. The winter months are some of the most unpredictable times. While temperatures are cold, overnight lows can be dangerous, falling well below the freezing point. Snowfall totals are varied, and while some seasons see heavy accumulation, the next year might only experience light snowfall. It is important that Philo residents expect the unexpected and have a reliable furnace in place to stay warn regardless of what is going on outdoors.

In late spring and early summer months, severe weather with possible tornadoes moves into the area. The rest of the summer tends to be hot and humid, and with temperatures well into the 90s many days, residents are wise to invest in a central air conditioning with a good SEER rating. These systems will cool homes efficiently while saving on energy costs.