The race for Aurora alderman at large between incumbent Robert O’Connor and challenger Matt Harrington may present the biggest contrast between candidates on election day.
O’Connor represents 32 years of experience as an alderman at large, and that even includes a six-month stint as mayor.
“I’ve been thrilled by the progress we’ve made,” O’Connor said. “I want to be able to continue the work of progress and achievement this city has experienced.”
Harrington represents some new, different ideas for how Aurora should deal with business and crime.
“Aurora’s at a real tipping point,” Harrington said. “I know what it takes to get things done.”
O’Connor, 72, an attorney, is in the unusual position of running for a lower office than the one he holds. He currently is the mayor, having been appointed to finish the term of Tom Weisner, who retired as mayor about six months early.
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O’Connor joked about it at a recent campaign speech.
“Let me be clear, I am not running for mayor,” he said.
Because he has continued to serve as alderman at large, he is running for re-election after 32 uninterrupted years. He said he thinks his experience on the City Council will be valuable during a transition year to a new mayor.
“I want to lend my experience and background to the new mayor,” he said.
He has spent many years as the council’s Finance Committee chairman and said the tight budget is what he sees as a priority. He said city workers have begun 2018 budget preparations, and they have been told it’s a “tight year.”
“The finances are under so much pressure,” he said. “The numbers are flat.”
One of the key factors in that budget situation is finding the money to pay for the state-mandated public safety pensions, O’Connor said. He said that is “something the new mayor is going to have to involve himself in.”
He did point out that Aurora has always passed balanced budgets and that it has resulted in the city having a AA bond rating. He also said the city keeps its tax levy “level and stable.”
He also said crime is a key issue and that while the Police Department has done a good job, “we need to redouble our neighborhood efforts.”
He also supports economic development, something he said the city “has done a good job at.” As an example, he pointed to the recent decision by Amazon to build two distribution centers in the city.
“I want to be able to continue that kind of work,” he said.
Harrington, 54, is chairman and chief executive officer of Ammo Coding System. He has proposed working with Hollywood Casino-Aurora to relocate to the Interstate 88 corridor into a new casino, entertainment, hotel and convention center. He said the city could then convince retailers from Chicago Premium Outlets to put together a shopping and dining complex, with movie theaters, in the casino buildings downtown.
He said he thinks that would keep the casino more competitive when Chicago eventually gets its casino. He said he fears Hollywood’s revenues will continue to decline otherwise.
“We could go to zero,” he said.
He said bringing more business to town would help to “transform” the Aurora Municipal Airport into a commuter airport alternative to O’Hare and Midway airports in Chicago.
He said downtown Aurora needs a “signature” restaurant that will convince people to stay downtown after they see shows at the Paramount Theatre.
“They don’t stay after shows,” he said.
In his past, Harrington has worked to build and manage buildings in Chicago.
“I know I can do that here,” he said. “I know I can work with developers and create a more vibrant downtown.”
Harrington also has proposed using electronic monitoring for convicted sex offenders who have been released and are living in Aurora.
“We have a large list for a city our size,” he said.
Harrington has lost one previous attempt at alderman at large but said he is confident this time around.
“I really believe I’m the best candidate,” he said.
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