City of Aurora economic development projects are focusing on commercial and residential. That was the word February 19 from Aurora zoning and planning division director Tracey Vacek at Aurora Lions Club’s monthly luncheon meeting at Riverview Diner in Montgomery. Vacek said key retail projects include: •A Climate and Equitable Jobs
Cathy Hayen is retiring from the City of Aurora government at the end of February. You might not know her by name, but you know her by the gardens, baskets, and planters of vibrant colors that have transformed downtown Aurora over the years into a seasonal paradise. In 2014, Hayen
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch honored 11-year-old Aurora resident Jakoi Ruff, at Tuesday, Feb. 10 night’s City Council meeting. Ruff, set a national record at the 2025 AAU Northern Indoor National Track & Field Invitational, which took place December 27 and 28, 2025 at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track &
The City of Aurora government will host a wreath-laying ceremony Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. to honor the seventh anniversary of the Henry Pratt Company Mass Shooting, which took the lives of five company employees and injured five Aurora police officers Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. The ceremony, which will
The City of Aurora, in partnership with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, is excited to announce that the inaugural Chicago Junior All-Star Championship will take place at the Phillips Park Golf Course from June 15 through 18. The event will feature an
By Jason Crane Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch, and the City Council, honored an Aurora high school marching band that represented the City on the international stage, performing in Rome, Italy’s New Year’s Day Parade. The Waubonsie Valley High School Marching Warriors embarked on a Rome New Year’s Tour from
The City of Aurora’s Water Production Division has discovered elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes. Between July 2025 and December 2025, 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 exceeded
The City of Aurora is gearing up to celebrate its second annual Aurora Restaurant Week, from January 20 through February 3. The event, which will showcase Aurora’s rapidly growing and diverse culinary scene, offers both residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy exclusive discounts and prix-fixe menus at participating restaurants
The City of Aurora will continue a four-decades-long tradition of honoring the life and legacy of the Revernd Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 41st Annual MLK Ceremony Monday, Jan. 19. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane, Aurora. This year’s
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is considering a Resolution authorizing an advance of $80,000 to OnLight Aurora for operational support. City officials aren’t sure at this time if the money will be a loan or a grant. City government of Aurora documents show OnLight Aurora plays a critical
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch, honored five Aurora residents at Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The young athletes proudly represented the City at the national level, winning the 3 vs. 3 BOWNET Soccer National Championship. Aztec Girlz 630 captured the title Sunday, Nov. 30, in Panama City, Florida,
At Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, mayor of Aurora, John Laesch honored two West Aurora High School students who represented Aurora on the national stage, performing at last week’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Asher and Emily Lesniak were selected to perform as part of
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council approved an increase to the number of video gaming terminals permitted in Aurora at the Tuesday, Nov. 25 City Council meeting. City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to amend the City Code to align with state law and the revision
The City of Aurora and the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) have reached an agreement on operating support of $2 million in 2026, ensuring ACCA can continue running its four live performance spaces throughout downtown Aurora, as well as the Paramount School of the Arts. The agreement, brokered in partnership
At a special meeting recently, the Aurora City Council unanimously approved a City Ordinance that prohibits the use of City property for civil immigration enforcement activities. The Ordinance is specifically tailored to prohibit the use of any City-owned and controlled property, including parking lots, buildings, or parks, as a staging
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is considering a Resolution to authorize the expenditure of special service area tax funds in a total aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000. In addition, a provision of City staff member support for the purpose of organizing an independent not-for-profit organization to render
Protestors assemble outside of Aurora City Hall to show their disapproval of the actions of ICE and the treatment of immigrants and people of color October 9.
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch is set to propose a new, comprehensive ethics ordinance that will create a $500 cap on campaign donations from businesses or entities that have contracts with the City. The proposed ordinance builds off Aurora’s 2019 Ordinance, enhancing safeguards around local elected officials. Key reforms from
City of Aurora employees pitched in Saturday, Oct. 4 on the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley’s project at 1921 Jericho Road in Aurora. According to a Facebook post from mayor John Laesch, aldermen Will White and Keith Larson were among city volunteers who helped Habitat staffers and other
The Aurora City Council approved 10-1, a six-month moratorium on new data center and warehouse development at a special meeting Thursday, Sept. 25. Alderman of the Fifth Ward, Carl Franco was the only dissenting vote. City of Aurora government information shows the moratorium is set for 180 days, and will
