Alderman William Donnell, an Aurora resident for more than 35 years, has announced his intention to continue to serve the city of Aurora government as Fourth Ward alderman.
“I was first elected in the Spring of 2013 and am running for my third term,” Donnell said. “I am now retired and am renewing my pledge to serve as a full-time alderman for the Fourth Ward.”
Donnell said he plans to represent his Fourth Ward constituents as well as the City as a whole by applying the concepts of leadership, experience, and community to his re-election campaign.
“A major Fourth Ward neighborhood improvement project that was launched during my tenure as alderman is the remediation, renovation, and repurposing of Copley Hospital, which sat vacant for 25 years,” Donnell said. The former hospital is being converted into housing for seniors and the disabled and will feature a health care center as well as new administrative offices for School District 131.
A new 500-car parking garage at Aurora University has relieved traffic and parking congestion in the surrounding AU neighborhoods, Donnell said.
To improve communications with residents he formed two new neighborhood groups and expanded others, providing a neighborhood group for every resident in the Fourth Ward.
Donnell’s experience includes 27 years with the Fox Valley Park District as director of Park Operations and Natural Resources. He helped the Park District achieve national acclaim as a Gold Medal winner and oversaw the management of 150 parks, 100 athletic fields, 85 playgrounds, and 40 miles of trails for the State’s second largest Park District, while developing and administering a $4.5 Million annual operations budget.
He served for 25 years on the City of Aurora Plan Commission (10 years as chair), eight years on City Council, and four terms as chair of the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“I have been proud to serve my community as past president of Family Counseling Service and chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters Resource Council,” Donnell said.
A former president of the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, he currently leads the Coats for Kids program where 2,000 coats are donated each Fall to local school children. As a Kiwanis member, he helped acquire and build two playgrounds at Brady and Bardwell Elementary Schools.
Donnell is past Stewardship Board chair and moderator elect at New England Congregational Church.
A Purdue University graduate, Donnell said he has “genuinely enjoyed being able to make a positive difference in our community for so many years.
“This year has been a challenge for all of us who love this City. I am encouraged by our efforts to keep one another healthy and safe,” Donnell said. “I want to continue to represent my neighbors and fellow residents in the positive manner that I think has been my trademark.”
— William Donnell