By Marjorie Logman There has been a trend in Aurora for a long time. I call it Aurora sentimentalism. Everything is fine, we all get along and we all have the best of intentions in running government and organizations. It is similar to a fog over the City. Anyone challenging...
By Jason Crane At the Aurora city government Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, through the Zoom video conference platform, the City Council listened to plans to continue to revive the winterized historic Hobbs Building. • Consent was given to a resolution authorizing the execution of a first amendment to...
In its ongoing efforts to support businesses and residents during the pandemic, the City of Aurora government announced a multi-faceted financial relief package of $3 Million. Unveiled during a Finance Committee meeting, the proposal for small businesses, which is in addition to the nearly $1 Million already provided to local...
LaPorcha Diaz of Aurora celebrated opening her Lorena’s Baskets, a new downtown Aurora business at 229 W. Galena Boulevard, with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening January 24. Her new location provides her with the space needed to continue with her sought-after baskets, additional customizable gifts, clothing, and more. Specializing in...
In honor of the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther, Jr., the City of Aurora will be host to the 36th Annual MLK Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18. The annual celebration, which traditionally brings together more than 1,000 participants, will be virtual this year. With the...
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...
By Jason Crane At the Aurora city government meeting Tuesday, through the Zoom video conference platform, the City Council unanimously approved a $406,358,000 balanced budget for 2021. The meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eygew_SaQfU There were no speakers for the budget public hearing, or the three...
As COVID-19 rates continue to increase, the City of Aurora government will decrease public access hours to help mitigate the spread of the virus. The City government will reduce public hours from its current three-day a week schedule to just two days per week. Beginning the week of November 30,...
By Jason Crane Discussions about a residence requirement for city of Aurora police and fire employees was part of the Aurora city government Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, through the Zoom video conference platform. Rules, Administration and Procedures (RAP) Committee chairperson, alderman Carl Franco, gave an update about the...
The following is letter sent to governor JB Pritzker from Aurora mayor Richard C. Irvin on behalf of restaurants and bars in the State’s second-largest city. “Dear Governor Pritzker: “I am writing to you on behalf of the small businesses in the Aurora community. Aurora is the second largest city...
For the past five years, Aurora has been ranked as one of the best cities for trick-or-treating in the United States by SmartAsset. The City of Lights will continue to offer a safe and fun Halloween experience this year amid COVID-19 with additional safety guidelines and a special drive-thru option...
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark civil rights law that protects access and opportunity for people with disabilities across community life, including employment. In recognition of the anniversary, the Aurora Advisory Commission on Disabilities is collaborating with the City...
A consistent recommendation during the CHANGE (Community Helping Aurora’s Necessary Growth and Empowerment) police policy review sessions held in the recent Summer was for the City of Aurora government to hold meetings where residents can share general thoughts on policing and progress in Aurora beyond policy discussions. In response to...
The City of Aurora government is proud to join a new peer-learning cohort led by the National League of Cities (NLC) to remove barriers to basic needs that often prevent college students from successfully completing postsecondary degrees, certificates, or other credentials needed to gain access to rewarding careers. Aurora joins...
A consistent recommendation during the CHANGE police policy review sessions held this Summer was for the City of Aurora government to hold meetings where residents can share general thoughts on policing and progress in Aurora beyond policy discussions. In response to the requests, a weekly series of community listening sessions...
By Jason Crane At the Aurora city government City Council meeting Tuesday, through the Zoom video conferencing platform, the City Council listened to an update on research implementation of the Civilian Review Board. More than 60 recommendations from the Community Review and Recommendations are available at www.aurora-il.org/2175/CHANGE-Reform-Initiative. A listening tour...
Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin is joining other mayors in a nationwide initiative to increase outside physical activity and reduce heart disease and stroke by encouraging Aurora residents to get up and get moving.“It’s been a long six months of limited activity in order to keep our community safe,” said...
The City of Aurora government has launched a $500,000 emergency rental assistance program to support Aurora residents who have overdue rent payments because of financial strain caused by COVID-19. If approved, residents can receive funds paid directly to landlords for up to two months of past-due rent based on the...
By Jason Crane At the Aurora city government Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, through the Zoom video conferencing platform, discussions included a request to spend $1.58 Million to purchase 349 Getac portable computers and associated accessories for use by Aurora public safety departments. Ward 10 alderman Judd Lofchie said...
Two of Aurora’s four counties are now on the State’s COVID-19 Watch List for increasing COVID-19 metrics. Both Kane and Will Counties were added to the list this weekend. The Illinois Department of Public Health Watch List designation occurs when two of the eight metrics identified by the State reach...
