Aurora has a new alderman, and he’s the youngest on the Aurora City Council.
New Ward 7 alderman Brandon Tolliver, 34, was sworn in before a cheering crowd of more than 250 family, friends, colleagues, and supporters.
A bittersweet night was mixed with emotions of joy for the new alderman and sadness at the sudden passing of the late Ward 7 alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns exactly three months ago, June 19.
“The importance of tonight is not lost on me,” said alderman Tolliver. “I only stand here tonight because of the passing of a titan, but I promise to stand strong in her honor and carry her torch as we keep the ward moving forward.”
Born and raised in Aurora, Tolliver is a graduate of West Aurora High School. He credits his love for public service to the many Aurora-based youth groups he participated in as a teenager, including the Boys II Men mentoring program and the Voices for Excellence community youth choir. He graduated from Northern Illinois University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in public law and policy. While in college, alderman Tolliver immersed himself in civic duties and political opportunities, including volunteering and interning with state and federal elected officials on both sides of the aisle.
From the West Aurora Class of ’07 to the leader of Ward 7, Tolliver will soon begin a 7-week listening tour of the geographically, socio-economically, and racially-diverse ward comprised of roughly 18,000 residents in Kane and DuPage Counties.
— City of Aurora government