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
By Nikoel HytrekCapitol News Illinoisnhytrek@captiolnewsillinois.com The Illinois General Assembly continues to debate what to do about data centers as the artificial intelligence business keeps booming, and communities complain about their energy bills, noise and environmental impacts. Data centers are warehouse-like buildings that house computer servers and other infrastructure that power
At the Aurora Committee of the Whole meeting, April 21, mayor John Laesch honored the Aurora Regional Fire Museum for winning two prestigious statewide awards from the Illinois Association of Museums. The museum received the 2026 Small Institution of the Year Award and the 2026 Award of Super Achievement (Exhibits),
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
Aurora mayor John Laesch visited the home of longtime Aurora resident Jessie Rangel Bourge, who celebrated her 101st birthday December 25. Bourge was born and raised in Aurora, before getting married at the age of 21 and moving to Mexico. Following a 20-year stint in Mexico, Bourge moved back to
Kenny Battle of Naperville, an NBA and West Aurora High basketball alum, sponsored a frozen turkey giveaway Sunday, Dec. 21 afternoon. The first-ever event was held at Fox Valley Park District’s Prisco Community Center in Aurora. Battle was partners with the City of Aurora government, Loaves & Fishes food pantry,
At Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, mayor of Aurora John Laesch honored two East Aurora School District 131 students who were named Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars. The distinction, earned by Yahir Ferreira of Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy and Taleen Kandakji of Cowherd Middle School, is a selective
Aurora Mayor John Laesch, left, addresses “Think AI – Tech Town Hall” November 13.
By Aurora mayor John Laesch October 9, the City of Aurora was alerted to a number of ICE sightings throughout the area, inciting panic and fear among residents. This unconstitutional deployment of Federal officers resulted in multiple snatchings of community members, targeting, specifically, our City’s strong and diverse Hispanic population.
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
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council listened to many public comments, both in support of and against the decision of Aurora mayor John Laesch to raise municipal flags Friday, Sept. 12, after the flags were lowered in remembrance of lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. President Donald
Thursday, Sept. 11 the City of Aurora government joined communities across the Nation in lowering municipal flags to half-staff in solemn remembrance of the lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks. Friday, Sept. 12, Aurora’s flags were returned to full staff. While the president of the United States, Donald
OnLight Aurora, a City-connected fiber optic broadband service that provides affordable, high-speed internet to City of Aurora buildings, in addition to other public sector and private sector clients, was the subject of a comprehensive presentation by mayor John Laesch at Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The presentation, which
Aurora mayor John Laesch got an earful from constituents August 16 morning. For 90 minutes, residents of Wards 4, 5, and 6 shared questions, concerns and an occasional compliment at the fourth of his four community listening and action town halls. The event was held at Prisco Community Center in
For over 15 years, the City of Aurora and the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) have shared an important vision: Revitalizing downtown Aurora through inclusive, family-friendly entertainment. Both the City and ACCA believe that the arts are vital to Aurora’s long-term development, growth, and identity. This shared vision and partnership
City of Aurora mayor, John Laesch, is set to kick off a City-wide listening tour, inviting residents to offer valuable feedback on the future of the City. The Community Listening & Action Town Hall Tour will take place on four consecutive Saturdays, to begin July 26. Each week, the workshops
Aurora mayor John Laesch, alongside City of Aurora officials, were host to the first listening session of the new Mayoral Administration Thursday, focusing on the future of downtown Aurora. “Let’s Talk Downtown: A Community Conversation” started mayor Laesch’s City-wide listening tour, in which Laesch will speak directly with residents, businesses,
Mayor John Laesch, center, joins representatives from Ellie’s Mental Health to cut the ribbon on the facility at 1315 N. Highland Avenue, Suite 202, in Aurora.
The City of Aurora’s new alderman at-large, Will White, was officially sworn in to office by mayor John Laesch, Tuesday, June 3. White’s appointment to the role, which was created when former alderman at-large John Laesch, was elected as the City of Aurora’s 60th Mayor, was unanimously approved by the
John Laesch, the 60th mayor of Aurora, was sworn-in by Aurora City clerk, Jennifer Stallings, Tuesday, May 13 at the Paramount Theatre.
