Working Families Aurora (WFA) will be host to a candidates forum Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Marywood Community Center,1405 Church Road, Aurora. This forum aims to provide an opportunity for individuals who wish to run in the special election for the position of Ward 1 alderperson. It is an excellent opportunity for candidates to present their visions and policies to the constituents of Ward 1 and engage with the community on key issues. It will be moderated by Casildo Casey Cuevas.
The upcoming Ward 1 special election April 1, 2025, will revolve around the relocation of the Hollywood Casino and the associated $58 million TIF subsidy. Mayor Richard Irvin has carefully screened candidates for the Ward 1 appointment who support the $58M Casino TIF.
Simultaneously, WFA is rigorously assessing candidates to identify the most resolute advocate for Ward 1 residents and the people of Aurora. Cuevas emphasized that WFA only endorses candidates who adamantly reject corporate PAC funds and political contributions from individuals or entities with city contracts, or seeking taxpayer-funded subsidies such as TIFs.
The Ward 1 alderman position became vacant after alderman Llamas resigned August 1. Llamas moved to Ward 5 shortly after getting re-elected April 4, 2023. He was under investigation by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s office for a potential Quo Warranto case when he decided to tender his resignation, citing concerns over his father’s health.
The temporary appointment of Dan Barreiro by mayor Irvin will serve between August 2024 and May 2025. The winner of the special election held April 1, 2025, will serve out the remaining two years of Llamas’s term until May 2027.
Working Families Aurora is a political action committee (PAC) that supports candidates not bought and paid for with special interest money. The organization won four of the six electoral campaigns it supported during the 2023 election cycle.
— Working Families Aurora