National Night Out Aurora 2026
An Aurora firefighter greets families at the National Night Out celebration held at Salvation Army Aurora Corps headquarters Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Aurora Youth Services Division grants open for non-profits
The City of Aurora’s Youth Services Division has launched a new, one-time grant opportunity for local non-profits and specific taxing bodies to enhance existing, after-school programs and youth initiatives across the City. The Youth Programs Enhancement Grant will provide $206,000 in total, including $166,000 for after-school programming, equipment purchase grants,
Aurora National Night Out, 24 events
Communities throughout Aurora will come together to celebrate National Night Out Tuesday, Aug. 4. National Night Out is a nationwide event that occurs annually on the first Tuesday in August. Across Aurora’s 10 wards, neighbors will gather in the community to strengthen relationships among residents, public safety officials, and City
Project Altogether students honored at Aurora City Council
Aurora mayor John Laesch, honors Project Altogether students Zaire Robinson, Amirrah Robinson, and Faith Berry for their exceptional volunteerism and hard work in the community.
Ethics Reform Passes in Aurora, still room to improve
By John Laesch, Aurora mayor The ethics ordinance that passed the Aurora City Council, July 14, is good news, but there is certainly room to continue working on better legislation. First the good news! The ordinance limits campaign donations to $1,500 from any corporation who does business with the City
Aurora’s Special Census has begun
The City of Aurora’s Special Census Initiative is a count of the City’s population that is held outside of the normal census in areas of new construction between 2020 and 2026 throughout City limits. During the 2020 Census, it was reported that the City of Aurora lost approximately 17,000 people.
Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council 2026 Puerto Rican Heritage Week
The Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council invites the community to celebrate Puerto Rican culture, history and pride during Aurora Puerto Rican Heritage Week, taking place July 18 through July 26 at locations throughout Aurora. “For more than five decades, Aurora’s Puerto Rican community has come together to preserve our traditions,
OLI Patriotic Garden, grow to help others
Our Legacy Initiative (OLI) has launched The OLI Patriotic Garden, a movement inspired by the Victory Gardens of World War I and World War II. During the war efforts, American families came together to grow their own fruits and vegetables to help ensure the nation had plenty of fresh food
Aurora Fireworks finally get off the ground
Attendees in Aurora enjoyed the delayed Fourth of July fireworks show, July 10, at RiverEdge Park.
Aurora City Council Approves New, Comprehensive Ethics Ordinance Enacting $1,500 Cap on Campaign Donations from Businesses with City Contracts
The Aurora City Council has approved a new, comprehensive ethics Ordinance that creates a $1,500 cap on campaign donations from businesses or entities that are doing business with the City. The Ordinance builds off Aurora’s 2019 Ordinance, enhancing ethics safeguards around local elected officials. Key reforms from the Ordinance include
Aurora church to host community block party
Aurora’s Our Savior Lutheran Church will hold a free block party Saturday, July 25. The family friendly event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 420 W. Downer Place, Aurora. Featured will be a hot dog-lunch, entertainment, children’s games and giveaways to the first 100 attendees.
Free World Cup viewing party in Aurora
The City of Aurora government and RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora, are teaming up for free a World Cup Championship viewing party Sunday, July 19. Gates will open at noon and kickoff will be at 2 p.m.. Bring friends, blankets, and chairs to watch the action live on the
Aurora Water Production Division finds elevated levels of lead
The City of Aurora government’s Water Production Division has discovered elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes. Between January 2026 and June 2026, the City of Aurora’s Water Production Division collected 100 samples of water and analyzed them for lead. More than 10% of the samples collected
Aurora Fire Department, Animal Control, save fawn in Fox River
The City of Aurora’s Fire Department and Animal Care and Control Division partnered on a rescue operation the morning of July 8, saving a fawn from drowning in the Fox River. At approximately 9:30 a.m., City staff on the Downer Place Bridge in downtown Aurora noticed a young fawn appear
Aurora Fourth of July parade 2026
Representatives from Valley Sheltered Workshop (VSW) participate in Aurora’s Fourth of July in the downtown.
Aurora Fourth Fireworks Rescheduled
Following storms on the Fourth of July The Aurora fireworks show at RiverEdge Park and McCullough Park will be rescheduled to Friday, July 10 at dusk. —City of Aurora government
Nicor Community Resource Fair July 9
Nicor Gas will host a free Community Connection Resource Fair from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9 at West Aurora High School – Veterans Fieldhouse, 1201 W. New York Street, Aurora. The event will run and will feature information on energy efficiency products, bill payment assistance support, career
Jerri Lynn Baker, optimistic Waterford Place participant
By Caitlin Carmody, Rush Medical Center, Aurora, Ill. Being optimistic helps Jerri Lynn Baker go through her day-to-day life. When the 66-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer, she wanted to keep that positive outlook. After hearing about a friend’s experience at Waterford Place in Aurora, Jerri Lynn did some initial
Aurora’s newest baby elk named by community vote
Following a two-week-long voting period, the City of Aurora is excited to reveal the name of the new baby elk that was born in early June at the Phillips Park Zoo. More than 800 votes were cast by the public, as voters chose from five names put together by the
Aurora Independence Day Extravaganza
The City of Aurora government is set to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in style with the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show, featuring the 6050s Band, and Fourth of July Parade. The City’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration will take place Friday, July 3, from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m..