Aurora mayor, Richard C. Irvin, declared a state of emergency Monday, March 16 in Aurora due to the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.
Joined by health-care professionals, aldermen, public safety chiefs, utility representatives, and restaurant owners, mayor Irvin spoke to thousands of Aurorans through a livestreamed media briefing before announcing the State of Emergency Declaration.
“These are challenging times, but I am confident we as a City, State, and Nation can come out of this stronger, wiser, and better,” said mayor Irvin. “Let’s work together to preserve the public health, safety and welfare of our community,”
Effective immediately, the declaration is a proactive measure to ensure public health and safety, to expedite the procurement of goods and services and to quickly enforce emergency planning decisions.
Some of the powers granted in the declaration include:
• Activating the City’s emergency operations plan
• Suspending provisions of any regulatory ordinance or law prescribing procedures for conduct of city business if strict compliance with the provisions would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with the public health emergency caused by COVID-19
• Recommending or directing in-place sheltering or quarantining to prevent the spread of COVID-19;
• Exercising any other power not inconsistent with State and federal law to respond to and contain COVID-19.
The declaration is one of many efforts and policies instituted by mayor Irvin to combat the COVID-19 health threat and flatten the curve.
In addition, he announced the closure of Aurora City Hall.
Aurora City Hall will close to the public at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 until 8 a.m. Wednesday April 1. During the two-week closure, operations at City Hall will continue with a modified staffing structure, including some employees working from home.
Public safety officials with the Aurora Police Department and Aurora Fire Department will continue to serve and protect Aurora with no service interruption and no downgrade in staffing.
Business can still be conducted by E-mail or phone. Staff members will discuss the proper protocols for the matter at hand. The public can call the Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 630.256.4636 or MyAurora@aurora-il.org to be forwarded to the appropriate department.
“Let me reassure our community we are doing all we can to be proactive, stay prepared and remain positive as we strive to flatten the curve and forge ahead to a bright future in the City of Lights.”
—City government of Aurora