Following an open call for nominations, and a week-long voting period, the City of Aurora is excited to reveal the names of the four baby falcons who hatched while under the wings of their mother on the side of City Hall in early May. Over 500 votes were cast by
The City of Aurora is set to celebrate the 158th anniversary of Memorial Day with the annual Aurora Memorial Day Parade, beginning at the intersection of Benton Street and River Street Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m.. Longtime community member and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, James “Jim” Butler, will serve
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council, Tuesday, approved a Resolution for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Aurora and Phillips Park Foundation, as requested by alderman of the Third Ward, Ted Mesiacos. The Phillips Park Foundation has recently been formed as a new Phillips Park not
The City of Aurora unveils new funding opportunities for neighborhood festivals scheduled to take place in 2026. Neighborhood Festival Funding Grants are now available to organizations and neighborhood groups planning public community events that acquaint residents with each other, while also educating participants about Aurora. The program offers grants for
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch, honored congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) at Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, for bringing nearly $1.1 million in federal funds to the City of Aurora. The funding, totaling $1,092,000, was part of the “Lead-Free Water Project” and will be
The City of Aurora government’s Youth Services Division will honor National Physical Fitness and Sports month by hosting the 32nd Annual Sports Festival Friday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Phillips Park, 828 Montgomery Road in Aurora. The time-honored Festival, which features more than 1,200 student-athletes competing
The City of Aurora government has been named a winner of two national awards in the 15th Annual Granicus Digital Government Awards, earning recognition in the category of Total Government Experience. Communications manager Jon Zaghloul also received the Changemaker award. The awards honor government organizations that are leading the way
Aurora mayor John Laesch declared that the state of the City of Aurora is “strong and growing” at his first-ever State of the City Address April 16. He added that his administration will be prioritizing fiscal responsibility with a specific focus on sustainable growth and government efficiency. The event, which
The City of Aurora government will host a free Electronics Recycling Drive-Thru from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 25 at the Route 59 Metra Train Station, 1090 N. IL Route 59. All items are free to recycle, including televisions, but registration is required for the first 2,000 Aurora residents
Aurora mayor John Laesch will have his first State of the City Address, Thursday, April 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Aurora University, Crimi Auditorium, 1347 Prairie St., Aurora. Entering 2026, the City of Aurora is moving beyond traditional governance and exemplifying a people-centered strategic model. Mayor John Laesch
The City of Aurora’s Public Art Division is excited to unveil a new exhibit from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, April 3, that will mark the homecoming of a world-renowned sculptor and historian, Dr. Charles Smith. The public is invited to attend the free opening reception at Aurora Public
At the Tuesday, March 24 City Council meeting, the Aurora City Council approved new, first-of-its-kind regulations intended to safeguard residents and the environment from future data center development. The nearly five-hour meeting included 17 speakers. Most spoke out against data centers. The approval of the new ordinances came as the
The City of Aurora government and the Aurora Fire Department will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the City’s two newest fire stations Thursday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Station 9, 500 N. Eola Road, and Station 13, 1701 Bilter Road. Both stations
The City of Aurora government is partnering with the Aurora Downtown District to host a free, action-packed weekend of St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans. “Find Your Luck In Downtown Aurora,” which will take place March 14 and 15, will feature 15 downtown businesses in an event that is expected to deliver significant Irish cheer. From festive
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council voted Tuesday to send an ethics reform Ordinance back to the Rules, Administration, and Procedures (RAP) Committee for further discussion. The proposed Ordinance would amend and add several sections of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Aurora pertaining to the disclosure
The City of Aurora’s Data and Analytics Division, in partnership with the City’s Customer Service Division, has unveiled a new open data portal, designed to provide residents with an in-depth look at myAurora 311 operations, service requests, and call traffic. The myAurora 311 Open Data Portal features multiple dashboards that
City-sponsored Aurora events keep Mike Nelson busy. The director of community events detailed them for the Aurora Lions Club March 5 meeting at Riverview Diner in Montgomery. Nelson was appointed to lead the Events Division in 2022 after previously serving as an intern and interim manager. He said his five-person
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 &
