Aurora joins global community in Day of Mourning

By Jason Crane

The Aurora City Council joined with the global community in an International Day of Mourning to reflect on the lives lost internationally and recommit to unity, peace, and understanding at the Committee of the Whole meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Tuesday, Nov. 7 was the one-month anniversary of the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas in Palestine.

Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin was joined by leaders of Aurora’s Jewish and Muslim communities for a special combined invocation by both faiths. Mayor Irvin underscored Aurora’s commitment to safety, inclusion, and interfaith dialogue through the Aurora InterFaith Alliance.

The City Council gave consent to the following agenda items likely to be placed on the Tuesday, Nov. 14 full City Council agenda:

• Consent was given to an Ordinance amending Chapter 27, section 27-168, Stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited.

The purpose of this amendment removes parking on the parkway during a snow event.

City government of Aurora documents show in the past, during a snow event, residents were allowed to park in the parkway/right-of-way portion of the roadway. This does not allow for efficient snow removal and may cause damage to the City’s buffalo box if a vehicle is parked on the infrastructure.

The amendment will assist streets in snow removal and also protect city infrastructure from potential damage from parking vehicles in the parkway during a temporary snow event.

A possible impact to the community is one less spot to park during a snow event when the driveway is already full. The city is continuing to look at other alternatives. Allowing parking on the parkway during a snow event may possibly cause damage to the City’s buffalo box and may impede snow removal from the roadway.

• Consent was given to a Resolution approving the appointment of Michael Zepeda to the Aurora Veteran’s Advisory Board.

The nomination brought forth represents one new candidate.

City government of Aurora documents show Michael Zepeda is a resident of the 6th Ward and a retired Police officer after serving 28 years. He was enlisted in the United States Marines.

• Consent was given to a Resolution appointing three inaugural members, Daryl Silberman, Tiffany Hall, and Alvin Watkins for a three-year term to the Music, Events and Entertainment Commission (MEE).

City government of Aurora documents show the Music, Events and Entertainment (MEE) Commission was created in June 2023 to support and amplify live performers in the City of Aurora. This group will work to identify performers, locations and create a calendar for all city events to support and promote citywide performances.

This 11-member advisory board will be housed under the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) and staffed by a member of that department.

Candidates for a three-year term are: Daryl Silberman, Ward 8; Tiffany Hall, Ward 2; Alvin Watkins, Ward 9.

• Consent was given to an Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Sec. 2-491 “Music, Events and Entertainment Commission”.

The purpose of this amendment is to increase the number of appointed members from the current nine to 11.

The level of interest in serving on this commission was higher than anticipated and the talent, background, and passion of the individuals interviewed was outstanding.

Following the interview process and based upon the recommendation of two current board staff member liaisons, the mayor determined MEE would be best served by increasing the appointed members.

• Consent was given to a Resolution appointing four inaugural members Didi Foley, Michael Summers, Alex Benitez and Braden Smith for a two-year term to the Music, Events and Entertainment Commission (MEE).

This 11-member advisory board will be housed under the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) and staffed by a member of that department.

Candidates for a two-year term are: Didi Foley, non-resident; Michael Summers, Ward 4; Alex Benitez, Non-resident; Braden Smith, Ward 4.

• Consent was given to a Resolution appointing four inaugural members John Sargent, Nina Arme Rosa, William Small Jr. and Aaron Lechuga for a one-year term to the Music, Events and Entertainment Commission (MEE).

This 11-member advisory board will be housed under the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) and staffed by a member of that department.

Candidates for a two-year term are: John Sargent, Ward 5; Nina Arme Rosa, non-resident; William Small Jr., Ward 8; Aaron Lechuga, Ward 4.

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the execution of real estate contracts to purchase properties and appropriating REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds required for the Indian Trail Signal Modernization and Resurfacing (Edgelawn to Highland) Project in the amount of $23,600.00.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to authorize the purchase of right-of-way for the Indian Trail Road Signal Modernization and Resurfacing (Edgelawn to Highland) Project and to appropriate REBUILD Illinois Bond funds as required by the Illinois Highway Code for Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Section 21-00339-00-CH.

A Phase 1 Study has been completed for this project, and the City is in various stages of design and construction for similar projects throughout the Indian Trail Corridor.

The project has secured federal funding to cover up to 80% of Construction and Construction Engineering costs. The funding sources include Surface Transportation Program – Local (STU) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ). A total of $3,800,000.00 in federal funds has been secured for Construction and Construction Engineering on the project.

The project involves modernizing the signalized intersections along Indian Trail between Edgelawn Dr and Highland Ave. Modernization includes replacement of all aging signal equipment, widening of curb radii to meet design vehicle requirement, and improving pedestrian facilities to meet ADA compliance. The intersections will feature new signal heads with 4-face flashing yellow turn arrows, which are in use on Orchard Road and are proposed in other upcoming projects throughout the City. Additionally, the existing roadway and 8-10 foot wide bike path will be resurfaced as part of this project. Additional general information and exhibits can be found on the project website (https://www.aurora-il.org/2365/Indian-Trl-from-Edgelawn-Dr-to-Highland-).

The City is continuing work with their selected design consultant, Stanley Engineering, on final design plans under a previous City agreement. The plans are 99% complete and the “Initial Final” Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) will be submitted to IDOT on November 27, 2023. The project is targeting a March 2024 IDOT letting, pending land acquisition certification.

This resolution will provide authorization to proceed with the acquisition of temporary easement and Right of Way. The Corporation Counsel, City Engineer and respective designees shall represent the City in the acquisition of these parcels.

The City has received acceptances from 8 of the 12 owners to the offers made by the City and Contracts to Purchase said properties have been executed or are in the process of being executed by said owners. The 8 Parcels are numbers 0001; 0002TE; 0003 & 0003TE; 0004 & 0004TE; 0005TE; 0007; 0008, 0008TE-A, & 0008TE-B; and 0009, 0009TE-A, & 0009TE-B. The prices range from $300.00 to $15,500.00 depending on the size and scope of the acquisition. The total amount of those settlements is $23,600.00. A similar resolution will be passed at a later date authorizing execution of the 4 remaining real estate contracts.

IDOT requires a Resolution to Appropriate the REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds prior to their expenditure for approved projects.

The REBUILD Illinois Bond Fund is a grant program using proceeds from general obligation (transportation, series A) bonds authorized in the REBUILD Illinois capital program to provide Local Agencies with the funds for transportation improvement projects. The City has received all the funds, $13,042,322.82 in total, over a 3 year period from 2020-2022. The funds can only be used on bridge and major highway projects that provide an average useful life of greater than or equal to 13 years.

The 2023 City Budget provides for sufficient funds in Account 202-4020-418.76-39 (GC083, Indian Trail Signal – Edgelawn to Highland).

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the City government’s Purchasing Department to increase a purchase order with Oxie Valley Electric Supply to an amount not to exceed $70,000 for supplies needed for the Electrical Division.

The purpose is to increase a purchase order with Oxie Valley Electric Supply to an amount not to exceed $70,000.

City government of Aurora documents show earlier this year the City published an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for annual pricing of supplies used by the Electrical Division during routine and ongoing maintenance of City infrastructure. Unit prices were received for specific anticipated supplies from two respondents. Purchase Orders were opened for both respondents in anticipation that the lowest price per item will be used unless delivery time becomes an issue, at which point the item would be purchased from the respondent with the next lowest price and necessary availability for that item.

Since the time of these contract awards, a handful of supplies have been needed which were either not included in the specific supplies requested in the ITB, were not available at either of the two contracted vendors, or were available for pickup in Rockdale, IL, which can be time prohibitive for the emergency/time-sensitive nature of certain repairs.

Oxie Valley Electric Supply is a local vendor which has submitted bids for and been awarded this Electrical Supplies contract in the past but did not submit a response to this ITB this year. While the Electrical Division consistently attempts to purchase all supplies from the two vendors which responded this year (TCL Electrical & Lighting in North Aurora and Crescent Electric in Rockdale), certain situations and purchases have created the need to purchase from Oxie Valley.

Despite efforts to limit these one-off supply purchases, the Electrical Division has spent approximately $39,000 to date at Oxie Valley. This request is intended to obtain the necessary formal approval to increase the purchase order to cover any remaining emergency needs prior to exceeding $50,000 to an amount not to exceed a total of $70,000 by year’s end.

As a result of this recurring need, the City plans to rebid this contract in 2024 in hopes of including a local vendor such as Oxie Valley for any such immediate supply needs moving forward.

Funding for materials, supplies, and LED light fixtures is budgeted in Supplies-Repairs/Maintenance/Street Lighting account 101-4020-418.65-07.

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the City government to accept a grant award of $85,630.00 from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office as part of the Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Grant Program.

The purpose is to obtain City Council approval of a grant to be used to enhance the Aurora Police Department in the detection, investigation, and reduction of organized retail crimes within Aurora.

City government of Aurora documents show the Aurora Police Department has a longstanding commitment to the reduction of retail crime in Aurora. Aurora is privileged to include many retail mercantile establishments, including the Chicago Premium Outlets, which provides retail services to the greater Aurora area.

The Chicago Premium Outlets shopping mall is one of the largest concentration of retail stores in Aurora, and draws shoppers from all over the region. The Premium Outlet mall also draws those who would take advantage the abundance of retail stores and its easy access to a regional tollway as a convenient place to commit retail crimes.

The Aurora Police Department received a grant from the Illinois Attorney General’s office under the Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Program and intends to use this funding to fight retail crime in and around the Chicago Premium Outlets.

This grant will provide $85,630.00 over a 12-month period from July 1, 2023 through July 1,2024 and is intended to pay for license plate reader cameras and overtime for the Aurora Police Department as it conducts regular details in the area of the Chicago Premium Outlets.

The Grant Revenue will be placed in account 101-3536-334.30-02. Expenses will be made following the City’s Purchasing Policies and funded through account 101-3536-421.50-50.

There will be no supplantation or comingling of operational and grant award funds in support of this organized retail crime reduction program.

This resolution must be approved and signed to properly execute the agreement and to begin implementing the project.

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to purchase fire hose from Air One Equipment of South Elgin Ill., for the amount of $177,223.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to replace all the fire hoses for the fire department that is over 20 years old. Through a grant from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The hose will be supplied by Air One Equipment, Inc of South Elgin, IL.

The fire hoses that the Fire Department is using in emergency operations does not meet NFPA 25 as most of the hose is more than 20 years old.

The Fire Department had budgeted $40,000 a year for the next 5 years to replace this hose, wile applying for the grant with FEMA. The grant was received and accepted with resolution R23-224 on August 8, 2023. The anticipated purchase for the hoses was published per the City’s purchasing code with Bid 23-88. Five responses were received with Air One Equipment of South Elgin being the lowest responsible bidder at $177,223. The City of Aurora will pay for the original hose purchase and get reimbursed for approximately 90%.

The hose is one of the most important tools that the firefighters use at any fire. Firefighters have 3 separate sizes 1-3/4”, 2-1/2” and 4”. These hoses allow them to extinguish fires and bring water from the hydrants into the engines. City officials will purchase a total of one hundred and sixteen lengths of four-inch hose. One hundred and fifty-four, inch and three-quarter hose. Three hundred and ninety-two, two- and one-half inch hose. The Funds will be amended and added to 101-3033.422.61-52 and 90% will be reimbursed after the scope of work is completed.

Purchasing new hose for the AFD will help ensure that fire personnel have reliable hose that meets the latest standards. This purchase will help the firefighters ensure the safety of the public.

• Consent was given to a Resolution approving the Invest Aurora and Ward 3 Façade and Site Improvement Grant Program, a two-year grant program in the amount of $75,000.00 per year.

City government of Aurora documents show the Resolution will support and encourage business property owners and tenants in Ward 3 to re-invest in and renovate their buildings and properties. The City of Aurora’s Ward 3 Façade and site improvement Grant Program is intended to encourage business property owners and tenants in Ward 3 to re-invest and renovate their buildings and properties.

This program was established in 2022 to assist small businesses to update, repair and maintain their buildings and properties. Eligible rehabilitation projects must be commercial or mixed-use properties within Ward 3 municipal boundaries.

Reimbursements will be made from the Ward 3 grant account, 313-1004-411.50-80 where $75,000.00 will be earmarked for this program. The grant reimburses 50 percent of the total rehabilitation cost, but not to exceed $25,000.00 in grant funds. The minimum overall project cost must be of $5,000.00.

Invest Aurora’s Grant Committee will review each proposal upon receipt of a completed application. The project must be completed 180 days from the receipt of the Commitment Letter.

Grants will be approved on a first-come first-serve basis until Ward 3 grant funds have depleted for the calendar year. Grants are disbursed as reimbursements after the project is complete, all contractors have been paid and signed lien waivers, and a Certificate of Occupancy is obtained from the City of Aurora.

Approval of the program will encourage and support business property owners and tenants to improve their buildings and properties to enhance the appearance of surrounding neighborhoods.

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing a two-year grant program in the amount of $50,000.00 per year in partnership with Rebuilding Together Aurora (RTA) and The Neighbor Project to assist qualified residents with projects in the Third Ward.
  The purpose of the program is to supplement costs outside the existing services available within the community through RTA and The Neighbor Project. The funds are intended to supplement, not duplicate, services that are not covered by the current RTA and/or The Neighbor Project Programs. This program is aimed towards helping residents of the Third Ward to correct code violations, provide accessibility modifications, and improve home safety.

City government of Aurora documents show alderman Ted Mesiacos established the Third Ward Grant Program in 2021 to supplement costs outside the existing services available within the community through RTA and the Neighbor Project.

Eligible homeowners include Aurora’s Third Ward residents who live in their homes, who are over the age of 60, military veterans, persons living with a disability, or single parents with a child under 18 years of age, and who meet the established program criteria of RTA and The Neighbor Project. Homes in an historic district are not eligible for this grant program unless it can be shown that the applicable project costs are not significantly higher due to requirements of the historic district.

In addition to the $5,000.00 Ward 3 grant, supplementary funding may be available for repairs deemed urgent. Projects categorized as an emergency, due to high need, urgent health and/or safety concerns will be considered for up to an additional $15,000.00.

The program will be independently administered by RTA and The Neighbor Project in partnership with the City of Aurora, local non-profits, service providers, and community volunteers.

Rebuilding Together Aurora and The Neighbor Project fees will be 9% of total project cost or $250 per project, whichever is less.

Approval of this program is set to help residents of Aurora’s Third Ward correct code violations, provide accessibility modifications, and improve the safety of their homes based upon individual’s needs

• Consent was given to a motion authorizing and directing the chief officer of the Human Resources Department to execute a settlement agreement on behalf of the City in Workers Compensation Claim #189999617-001.
• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing an agreement for a three-year subscription with two option years for a complete website redesign and existing digital services from Granicus, Denver, CO for a total amount of $1,277,459.69.

The City desires a website and digital services platform that is easy and intuitive for visitors to navigate, efficient for City staff members to manage and update, all while providing a wide variety of best-in-class services, information, and capabilities to Aurora residents.

City government of Aurora documents show Resolution 22-160 approved digital services and website software from a previous website vendor. While working on the project, there were challenges encountered with the selected website vendor to provide the desired website solution with all of the capabilities that City staff members required. At the same time, there were changes in the website vendor landscape since the start of the project with the merging of two website providers who were highly ranked by City staff members. As a result, City staff members and the previous website vendor mutually agreed to terminate the prior contract.

Purchasing, Communications and IT staff members worked with Marketplace.city to review the scoring from Resolution 22-160 and engaged Granicus for digital services and website software based on some of their acquisitions since the start of the project that enhanced the services they provide.

One of the significant acquisitions was the OpenCities website platform that added to their portfolio of technology engagement solutions. In an effort to achieve the best all-inclusive website and communications solution for the residents of Aurora, City staff members made the decision that Granicus’ new website solution would be best suited to meet the City’s needs.

Staff members originally presented the proposed agreement with Granicus to the Infrastructure and Technology Committee at its meeting of October 23, 2023. Members of the committee raised several questions regarding the need for a new website which staff members addressed as best it could. Ultimately desiring more information, the Committee voted 3-2 to not advance the item to the Committee of the Whole and consider it at its next meeting, presently scheduled for November 13 due to October having a 5th Tuesday. Since October 23, staff members have worked to provide written responses to as many of the committee’s questions as possible.

While the IT Department has a significant role to play in the implementation of a new website, this procurement will require the active involvement of multiple City departments and serves as a resource for all City departments and the members of the public that interact with them. Moreover, submission of the Granicus proposal followed nearly two years of work with the prior vendor during which the City’s obsolete website remained in place. Further delay at this point is problematic, given October’s 5th week, the density of the City Council’s agendas for the remainder of the year, and the length of time the project will take to implement.

In lieu of proceeding with Item 23-0848, the mayor has directed that a revised item be presented to the Committee of the Whole in accordance with Sec. 2-122(c)(3) of the Code of Ordinances, specifically finding that replacement of the website is a significant citywide concern and requires the attention of the full council. He further finds that the matter is of such urgency that consideration by a standing committee is impractical. Under the code, the Committee of the Whole has jurisdiction over this item, 23-0903 and can act on it as new business.

Granicus has supplied digital services to the City for many years including software to support the legislative process (Legistar) and Freedom of Information Act requests (GovQA). Granicus has provided quality service and support during this timeframe and has become a trusted partner for the City.

The Granicus OpenCities website solution is utilized by over 170 cities in the US including Denver, Miami, Orlando, Grand Rapids, and San Antonio. Staff members were particularly impressed with the OpenCities ability to automate workflows through digital forms on the website. Additionally, the agreement includes Granicus’ Communication Could and Engagement HQ (“EHQ”) tools that will allow the Communications Department to consolidate other task-specific communications solutions into one cohesive website platform to continually engage residents of Aurora with emails, surveys and text messaging. The agreement also includes the Granicus Experience Group which is their top-level consulting services to ensure the design, content, copywriting, and website experience follows the most effective best-practices.

The website-related costs in the agreement are $584,090 which includes the added

Communications Cloud, EngagementHQ, and Granicus Experience Cloud. The website costs in the agreement are less than the previous website vendor and provides more capabilities. The remaining costs in the agreement of $493,438 are the costs for the existing Granicus products used by the City. These existing costs would still be incurred even if Granicus was not the City website provider. The bundling of services provides cost savings and ease of business by having all Granicus services on one agreement. Granicus will also provide a first-year credit in the amount of $79,137 as a result of bundling services.

Funds from the 2022 Decision Package will be utilized for this purpose in account 101-1281-419.32.20.

As the City continues to improve digital services and implement the Information Technology Strategic Plan, a website platform that supports new and engaging digital services is paramount to the continued success of City initiatives and to ensure the new City website is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Final approval for items on the Committee of the Whole consent agenda are set to be made at the November 14 Aurora City Council meeting.

• Placed on Unfinished Business was a Resolution updating the snow parking violation fee pertaining to Chapter 27, Sec. 27-8 “Fees, Fines and Penalties” of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”.
  City government of Aurora documents show this is a Resolution amending Exhibit A, Section 2 of R13-033, regarding Motor Vehicles and Traffic Fees, Fines and Penalties for the City of Aurora.

Chapter 27 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Sec. 27-8 Fees, Fines and Penalties” notes that fees, fines and penalties for the chapter are set by Resolution or Ordinance. The most recent resolution establishing fees for this section is from 2013.

A multidisciplinary team of city staff members have been meeting to discuss winter parking procedures and how to better address cars parked on the street when there are more than two inches of snow. This team has made a number of recommendations, one of which is an ordinance amendment presented at the Tuesday, October 17 RAP Committee Meeting, as well as proposing an increase to the fee charged to for cars left on the street during snow operations.

The snow parking violation amount was last updated in 2013. After reviewing neighboring municipalities rates, staff members are recommending an increase from $25 to $40 per ticket. The late fee will follow the schedule outlined in Exhibit A, Section (3) a. This increased ticket fee is one of the recommendations to improve snow operations for the 2023-2024 snow season.

The increase of this fee will support the removal of cars off the street during city snow operations, improving the quality of life for Aurora residents.

• Placed on Unfinished Business was an Ordinance pertaining to the paid leave policies and practices applicable to employees of the City government.

The purpose is to affirm the City’s paid time-off policies as set forth in the respective pay plans and collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time-to-time.

City government of Aurora documents show the City offers its permanent full and part-time employees a variety of benefits, including significant paid time-off. These benefits are established by the City Council from time-to-time through annual authorization of the executive and non-exempt pay plans as in its periodic approval of collective bargaining agreements with the various unions who represent City employees.

In the closing days of the previous General Assembly, lawmakers passed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which was signed into law as Public Act 102-1143 with a delayed effective date of January 1, 2024. Among other things, the Act provides for significant sanctions for employers who do not comply with its requirements, does not distinguish between classifications of personal time off (vacation, sick, etc.) and does not appear to take into consideration the possibility of multiple employees exercising their rights under the Act simultaneously.

The administrative burdens created by this Act are significant for any employer but are particularly arduous for local governments that have an obligation to render services to the public in accordance with statutory requirements. Perhaps, it is for this reason that the General Assembly saw fit to exempt park districts and schools from the Act’s requirement – though it does not explain the narrowness of the exception.

Notably, the Act does not expressly preempt the authority of home rule units to regulate matters within their own government or affairs or to jointly exercise any such power concurrently with the State, nor does it apply to an “employer that is covered by a municipal or county ordinance that is in effect on the effective date of this Act that requires employers to give any form of paid leave to their employees, including paid sick leave or paid leave.”

Given the significant impact the Act could have on the ability of the City to render services to its residents, and the very generous paid leave policies it already extends to its employees, the Act offers little to no value to City residents or even to its employees — many of whom would bear the burden of having to cover additional shifts or the assignments of co-workers who provided the statutorily-prescribed, but impractically short 7 calendar-day notice for “foreseeable” absences.

Because the City is a home rule unit under the Illinois Constitution and possesses significant authority to exercise any power within its government or affairs — which necessarily includes the provision of benefits to its employees — and the General Assembly does not appear to have preempted those powers, staff members recommend that the City Council effectively “opt out” of the Act’s provisions and affirm the terms and applicability of its pay plans and collective bargaining agreements as the ultimate authority governing paid leave policies for City employees.

Approval of this Ordinance will maintain the status quo in the City with respect to the paid leave policies applicable to its employees and avoid the significant challenges associated with implementing a law the legislature obviously understood was not well suited for at least some forms of local government.

• Placed on Unfinished Business was an Ordinance amending Chapter 8 – Division 8-IV-1 Pertaining to Amusement Devices Generally.

The purpose of amendments proposed in Legistar items 23-0800, 23-0801, 23-0803 and 23-0806 all seek to address a loophole in the local ordinances pertaining to illegal gaming/gambling machines.

City government of Aurora documents show the State of Illinois and the City of Aurora have established regulations for video gaming and amusement machines. The city’s regulations largely mirror the State’s, but as it pertains to allowable locations, the number of machines and the standards of establishments, Aurora’s regulations are more stringent. However, there is a loophole in the State Law and local ordinances that allow a certain type of amusement machine to be licensed that is, in most respects, a video gaming machine. This proposed legislation seeks to close the loophole and prohibit all “amusement” gaming machines that directly pay out money or vouchers redeemable on-site (or elsewhere) for money or other forms of taxable income, from being operated in non-regulated businesses. This change does not apply to establishments licensed under Chapter 8; the only impact will be to businesses with unregulated terminals licensed under “Amusements”.

The City’s current gaming regulations were updated in 2020 to clarify provisions specific to the locations of video gaming terminals, which are limited to “full-service restaurants”, locations like gas stations and convenience stores are prohibited from having terminals.

The four items before the committee today are all related to the prohibition of “amusement” video gaming machines that directly pay out money or redeemable vouchers. This amendment will protect businesses in Aurora that operate legal and licensed video gaming machines. This measure will protect the community from unregulated machines that do not have associated taxes, monitored payouts or any meaningful allowable oversight at the State or local level. At this time, there are many of these gaming machines throughout Aurora. These terminals are in locations that would not fulfill the requirements outlined at the State level or in Chapter 8. The proliferation of these machines in the community create significant public safety concerns and are impacting the businesses that are in compliance with all State and local regulations, including their gaming tax revenue.

This specific amendment updates the general amusement section of Chapter 8, specifically adding “video gaming terminals” to the definitions and adding a provision prohibiting them from being licensed under this section.

Amending Chapter 8 – Division 8-IV-1 will prohibit the operation of unregulated video gaming machines. This prohibition will redirect patrons wishing to participate in video gaming to locations with properly licensed and regulated video gaming machines and, in effect, contribute additional tax revenue to the city. Further, this prohibition will protect residents, specifically minors, as these unregulated machines are apparently accessible to minors at gas stations and at least one laundromat in town. Given the lack of state or city oversite of these unregulated machines, it is unknown how easy it is for minors to play these games.

• Placed on Unfinished Business was an Ordinance amending Chapter 8 – Article 8-IV, Division 8-IV-5 Pertaining to Video Gaming.

The purpose of amendments proposed in Legistar items 23-0800, 23-0801, 23-0803 and 23-0806 all seek to address a loophole in local ordinances pertaining to illegal gaming/gambling machines.

City government of Aurora documents show the State of Illinois and the City of Aurora have established regulations for video gaming and amusement machines. The city’s regulations largely mirror the State’s, but as it pertains to allowable locations, the number of machines and the standards of establishments, Aurora’s regulations are more stringent. However, there is a loophole in the State Law and local ordinances that allows a certain type of amusement machine to be licensed that is, in most respects, a video gaming machine. This proposed legislation seeks to close the loophole and prohibit all “amusement” gaming machines that directly pay out money or vouchers redeemable on-site (or elsewhere) for money or other forms of taxable income, from being operated in non-regulated businesses. This change does not apply to establishments licensed under Chapter 8; the only impact will be to businesses with unregulated terminals licensed under “Amusements”.

This specific item proposes to update the “Definitions” section of the city’s regulations for video gaming terminals and consistent with other code updates, removes the “fee” provision out of the code to instead be established by Resolution.

Amending Chapter 8 – Article 8-IV, Division 8-IV-5 will prohibit the operation of unregulated video gaming machines. This prohibition will redirect patrons wishing to participate in video gaming to locations with properly licensed and regulated video gaming machines and, in effect, contribute additional tax revenue to the city. Further, this prohibition will protect residents, specifically minors, as these unregulated machines are apparently accessible to minors at gas stations and at least one laundromat in town. Given the lack of state or city oversite of these unregulated machines, it is unknown how easy it is for minors to play these games.

• Placed on Unfinished Business was an Ordinance amending Chapter 29 – Article 29-IV, Division 29-IV-2 Pertaining to Gambling.

The purpose of amendments proposed in Legistar items 23-0800, 23-0801, 23-0803 and 23-0806 all seek to address a loophole in local ordinances pertaining to illegal gaming/gambling machines.

City government of Aurora documents show the State of Illinois and the City of Aurora have established regulations for video gaming and amusement machines. The city’s regulations largely mirror the State’s, but as it pertains to allowable locations, the number of machines and the standards of establishments, Aurora’s regulations are more stringent. However, there is a loophole in the State Law and local ordinances that allow a certain type of amusement machine to be licensed that is, in most respects, a video gaming machine. This proposed legislation seeks to close the loophole and prohibit all “amusement” gaming machines that directly pay out money or vouchers redeemable on-site (or elsewhere) for money or other forms of taxable income, from being operated in non-regulated businesses. This change does not apply to establishments licensed under Chapter 8; the only impact will be to businesses with unregulated terminals licensed under “Amusements”.

This specific item seeks to amend Chapter 29 (Offenses, Miscellaneous), – Article 29-IV (Gambling), Division 29-IV-2. The “Definitions” section will be updated to be consistent with the proposed language in Chapter 8. Similarly, the “Gambling Locations” and “Forfeiture of Gambling Devices” will also be updated to be consistent with other areas of the code.

Amending Chapter 29 – Article 29-IV, Division 29-IV-2 will prohibit the use of unregulated video gaming machines. This prohibition will redirect patrons wishing to participate in video gaming to locations with properly licensed and regulated video gaming machines and, in effect, contribute additional tax revenue to the city. Further, this prohibition will protect residents, specifically minors, as these unregulated machines are apparently accessible to minors at gas stations and at least one laundromat in town. Given the lack of state or city oversight of these unregulated machines, it is unknown how easy it is for minors to play these games.

• Placed on Unfinished Business was an Ordinance amending Chapter 8 – Division 8-IV-6 Pertaining to Video Gaming.

The purpose of amendments proposed in Legistar items 23-0800, 23-0801, 23-0803 and 23-0806 all seek to address a loophole in local ordinances pertaining to illegal gaming/gambling machines.

City government of Aurora documents show the State of Illinois and the City of Aurora have established regulations for video gaming and amusement machines. The city’s regulations largely mirror the State’s, but as it pertains to allowable locations, the number of machines and the standards of establishments, Aurora’s regulations are more stringent. However, there is a loophole in the State Law and local ordinances that allow a certain type of amusement machine to be licensed that is, in most respects, a video gaming machine. This proposed legislation seeks to close the loophole and prohibit all “amusement” gaming machines that directly pay out money or vouchers redeemable on-site (or elsewhere) for money or other forms of taxable income, from being operated in non-regulated businesses. This change does not apply to establishments licensed under Chapter 8; the only impact will be to businesses with unregulated terminals licensed under “Amusements”.

This specific item seeks to amend Chapter 8 – IV – 6 (Enforcement) section of Chapter 8 to be consistent with other proposed changes in the code.

Amending Chapter 8 – IV – 6 will prohibit the operation of unregulated video gaming machines. This prohibition will redirect patrons wishing to participate in video gaming to locations with properly licensed and regulated video gaming machines and, in effect, contribute additional tax revenue to the city. Further, this prohibition will protect residents, specifically minors, as these unregulated machines are apparently accessible to minors at gas stations and at least one laundromat in town. Given the lack of state or city oversite of these unregulated machines, it is unknown how easy it is for minors to play these games.