Chuck Nelson is synonymous with Aurora.
A lifelong Auroran who has served as both an elected official and an executive, the City’s first deputy mayor is preparing to retire this month after a nearly 30-year career in public service at City Hall.
“Chuck is an Aurora institution in and of himself,” said Aurora mayor Richard C. Irvin. “I first asked him to be my Deputy Mayor during my first campaign in 2005. It took us twelve years to make it a reality, but it was certainly worth the wait. I can’t imagine anyone else setting the standard as Aurora’s first Deputy Mayor. As he has done throughout his career, Chuck stepped into the role, defined it, and did so with excellence, compassion, and class.”
Nelson will be honored next week during several virtual events.
During the regularly-scheduled meeting of the Aurora City Council, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, on which Nelson previously served as aldermen of Ward 4, council members offered reflections, and mayor Irvin yielded his time on the agenda to deputy mayor Nelson for remarks..
Deputy mayor Nelson will join mayor Irvin Friday, Dec. 18 at noon, for a Facebook Live conversation about his career in and commitment to Aurora. Community members can email congratulatory remarks to be read, in part, during the conversation to MyAurora@aurora-il.org by Wednesday, Dec. 16. A limited number of participants may be invited to join the virtual discussion to give their remarks in real-time.
Additional events will take place during the week for City staff.
“It has been my utmost honor to serve as deputy mayor and to retire in this dream position after a wonderful career with the City,” said Nelson. “I’m a hometown guy who loves Aurora and our residents. I have so many great memories from my childhood to today. My wife, Karen, and I are blessed to have raised our family in such a special place. It is my privilege to have been of service to our community and to pay forward what others have provided for me throughout my life.”
Nelson has served as deputy mayor since 2017. He was elected as Ward 4 alderman in 1993 and served for three terms until 2005. In 2006, he began his tenure as assistant chief of Staff for the late mayor Tom Weisner, a position he held until 2015. Nelson was then appointed as director of neighborhood standards for two years. He is a Class of 1976 graduate of East Aurora High School and an avid White Sox and Bears fan.
“Without question, he is one of a kind,” said mayor Irvin. “Everybody loves Chuck.”
—City of Aurora government