By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council listened to many public comments, both in support of and against the decision of Aurora mayor John Laesch to raise municipal flags Friday, Sept. 12, after the flags were lowered in remembrance of lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
President Donald Trump, recently ordered flags to be lowered on federal buildings, and governor Pritzker’s flag directive applied to State buildings in remembrance of Charlie Kirk who was assassinated Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Mayor Laesch made a statement in a press release here.
•A proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month, a month-long celebration from September 15 to October 15 was presented to members of the Aurora Hispanic Advisory Board.
The City Council gave consent to the following agenda item likely to be placed on the Tuesday, Sept. 23 full City Council agenda:
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing Angie’s Place to Provide the city of Aurora Police Department wellness checks for the Period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain approval of the service agreement with Angie’s Place to provide the Aurora Police Department wellness checks to all officers.
The City posted a Request for Proposal in November 2024. Five firms responded with the top two ranked firms brought in for interviews which included staff members from the Human Resources Department and the Aurora Police Department.
During the initial evaluation, both met the required qualifications, but key differences were noticed during the interview process and follow-up site visits.
First Responder Wellness Center offered a professional and timely service in a traditional clinical setting. While their services met expectations, the environment and approach reflected a more formal and medical atmosphere.
Angie’s Place also met all qualifications but provided a setting and approach that were more relaxed, personable, and conducive to open dialogue. This environment was determined to be better suited to support first responders’ wellness needs by reducing stress and creating a more natural interaction during visits.
Location was another factor in this selection, what would work best for the staff to ensure timely checks and within their work schedules.
Based on these considerations, staff members recommend contracting with Angie’s Place, as their approach aligns more closely with the needs of our personnel and they have office locations in Oswego and Lisle.
Angie’s Place clinicians are all former first responders, family members of first responders, and family of veterans, which uniquely equips them to join in the experiences of their clients with a knowing compassion and informed method of evaluation, support, and treatment. Additionally, they are legislatively active team at the local and state levels that advocate for awareness and considerations unique to first responders.
Requests for proposals are not subject to the Local Preference Ordinance.
By moving forward with this selection, the city will meet the state mandate for the City to provide wellness checks to all officers.
The agreement will be for an initial term of October 1, 2025 thru December 31, 2026 with the option for two (2) one-year extensions upon mutual agreement.
The Human Resources Department has budgeted $70,000 for this program in account no. 101-1006-419.32-20 for 2025 and a decision package was approved for funding of this program through 2029.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the execution of a historic preservation grant agreements with owners of properties within the historic districts or local landmarks to foster the continued preservation of Aurora’s historic neighborhoods and landmarks.
City government of Aurora documents show this year, City Council approved a million dollars for the Historic Preservation Grant Program along with expanding the program to both owner occupied and rental properties up to five living units and increased the maximum grant amount. The Preservation Grant Program is a reimbursable grant for exterior historic rehabilitation projects. The maximum increased from $20,000 to $30,000. All grants at or under $15,000 require no cash match. All grants over $15,000 require a dollar-for-dollar cash match for every dollar over $15,000. The final $1,000 of the grant is additional funding for the use of local contractors.
The current balance in account 101-1840-463.50-43 and 215-1840-463.50-43 is approximately $720,000.
Staff members received 39 applications representing the local districts, the National Register district, and Local Landmarks. The work is all exterior ranging from tuckpointing, window repair, chimney restoration, siding repair and painting to structural stabilization and porch restorations. Staff is working on additional outreach efforts for the coming grant rounds, including handing out flyers and attending some community events.
On August 7, 2025, the Historic Preservation Grant Committee reviewed the 39 applications submitted for the Summer 2025 Historic Preservation Grant Program.
The Preservation Commission evaluated all project applications using a five-point scale, with one representing the highest ranking. In order to reserve funds for a second application round this fall-with awards distributed early next year-the Commission recommended funding all projects ranked one through three. Projects that did not receive funding in this round may be reconsidered in the next cycle.
Funding recommendations were based primarily on the scope of each project, with priority given to owner-occupied homes. Each application was assessed according to multiple criteria, including-but not limited to-the condition of the property, historical significance, potential public benefit, impact on the streetscape, visibility, and the extent to which original materials would be preserved.
As outlined in more detail on the attached Proposed Summer 2025 Historic Preservation Grants Summary, the following are the ranking:
- Ranking One
1.) 77 S. View Street – Local Landmark – Tuckpointing, Wood Repair, and Painting – $31,000
2.) 222 S. Lincoln Avenue – Near Eastside – Siding Restoration and Painting – $31,000
3.) 231 S. 4th Street – Near Eastside – Porch Restoration – $6,435
4.) 233 West Park Avenue – Tanner – Window Restoration and Masonry Restoration – $17,586
5.) 312 S. 4th Street – Near Eastside – Porch Restoration – $19,610
6.) 335 S. Lincoln Avenue – Near Eastside – Porch Restoration – $15,400
7.) 411 W. New York Street – Tanner – Porch Restoration – $27,750
8.) 435 W. Downer Place – Westside – Porch Restoration – $31,000
9.) 515 Oak Avenue – Tanner – Porch Repairs – $6,215
10.) 526 Palace Street – Palace – Window Restoration – $25,633
11.) 547 5th Street – Landmark – Window Restoration – $19,154
- Ranking Two
12.) 18 S. May Street – Westside – Foundation Repair – $20,848
13.) 123 S. Highland Avenue – Landmark – Window Restoration – $15,620
14.) 154-158 S. Lincoln – Near Eastside – Window Restoration – $31,000
15.) 169 S. Lincoln Avenue – Near Eastside – Siding and Trim Repair, Gutter Repair- $22,113
16.) 311 Grand Avenue – Tanner – Window Restoration – $17,438
17.) 332 Plum Street – Tanner – Siding Repair, Porch Restoration, & Painting – $15,960
18.) 361 Lawndale Avenue – Riddle – Tuckpointing & Window Restoration – $31,000
19.) 427 Pennsylvania Avenue – Tanner – Window Replacement of Vinyl Windows – $11,550
20.) 444 Iowa Avenue – Tanner – Siding Repair & Painting – $24,175
21.) 448 Pennsylvania Avenue – Tanner – Window Replacement of Vinyl Windows – $7,432
22.) 456 Wilder Street – Tanner – Tuckpointing and Wall Rebuild – $17,988
23.) 548 Garfield Avenue – Landmark – Gutters, Soffit Restoration, & Painting – $10,029
24.) 726 Oak Avenue – Riddle Highlands – Chimney Restoration – $6,655
25.) 727 Oak Avenue – Riddle Highlands – Custom Wood Storms Window and Door – $25,688
26.) 128 S. Lincoln Avenue – Near Eastside – Siding and Window Replacement- $22,148
- Ranking Three
27.) 338 Grant Place – Near Eastside – Window Restoration – $9,240
28.) 361 West Park Avenue – Tanner – Window Restoration – $9,240
29.) 433 Oak Avenue – Tanner – Tuckpointing – $19,775
30.) 109-111 S. 4th Street – Near Eastside – Gutter Replacement – $9,927
31.) 340 West Park Avenue – Tanner – Gutters – $12,276