A risk the people of Aurora should not have to to take:
By Richard C. Irvin, mayor, Aurora, Ill.
After a nearly a week of news reports that convicted-murderer Thomas Kokoraleis would reside in nearby Wheaton following his release from custody, Aurora was blindsided over the weekend, March 30-31, when Kokoraleis notified the Aurora Police Department he would be living at Wayside Cross Ministries in downtown Aurora.
Kokoraleis pled guilty to the 1982 murder of 21-year-old Lorraine Ann Borowski of Elmhurst. The laws in effect at the time of the crime required Kokoraleis to serve only half of his 70-year prison sentence. Kokoraleis, his brother, and two others were part of the Ripper Crew and were suspected in the disappearances of 18 women between 1981 and 1982.
The safety of the Aurora community is my primary concern. Following shortly behind that concern is my desire to see Aurora continuing to thrive as a place where people and families will want to spend time and enjoy all this great City has to offer. Although I appreciate the many good things that Wayside Cross Ministries does in our community, the decision suggests that there is not a full appreciation of the impact Kokoraleis’ mere presence will have on the community as a whole.
In light of the unspeakable nature of the crimes committed by the Ripper Crew, I would hope that Wayside would reconsider the decision that brought Kokoraleis to Aurora, particularly given the Ministries’ close proximity to parks, churches, and day-care centers. I absolutely disagree with Wayside Cross Ministries’ decision to allow Kokoraleis to reside at its facility in Aurora.
As a former prosecutor, and later as a defense attorney, I’ve seen first hand that persons can and do emerge from incarceration changed for the better. However, I’ve seen the opposite unfortunately can occur as well. As it stands from my perspective, it is a risk the people of Aurora shouldn’t have to take.
Jason Crane/The Voice