R. Christian Smith – Page 19

Members of the Aurora Police and Fire Honor Guard on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, ceremonially hang a wreath to honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora holds ceremony to mark anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks

September 11, 2025 at 3:18 p.m.

During a ceremony held Thursday to remember the Sept. 11, 2021, terrorist attacks and honor those who lost their lives, three Aurora city officials talked lessons to be learned from...

Aurora City Hall is at 44 E. Downer Place in downtown Aurora. The Aurora City Council Tuesday evening narrowly approved the hiring of a new lawyer for the city's legal department. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

New hire in Aurora’s legal department sparks debate at City Council meeting

September 11, 2025 at 7:49 p.m.

The hiring of a new lawyer for Aurora's legal department sparked a debate between Aurora City Council members about hiring practices amid the city's budget crisis.

Aurora looks to beef up down payment assistance program

September 8, 2025 at 3:02 p.m.

Aurora is looking to beef up its down payment assistance program after officials say it was nearly shut down because of the limited number of applications it was receiving.

A view of downtown Aurora from along the Fox River on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. The city of Aurora is considering forming a new organization that would provide marketing, beautification and business support services for Aurora's downtown. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora looks to recreate downtown organization

September 7, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

The city of Aurora is looking to create an organization in downtown like the one that recently joined with other groups to form the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance.

Chickens roam around a backyard coop in Downers Grove in 2019. An Aurora City Council committee on Tuesday decided to table a discussion about potentially lifting a ban on the keeping of backyard chickens in the city. (Dawn Rhodes/baiduhai)

Aurora committee tables talk of lifting ban on backyard chickens

September 4, 2025 at 3:58 p.m.

A committee of the Aurora City Council has tabled its discussion of possibly lifting the city's ban on backyard chickens.

John Laesch speaks as the new mayor of Aurora at the Paramount Theatre on May 13, 2025. OnLight Aurora, which manages the city of Aurora's fiber network, has been financially mismanaged, Laesch said. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Aurora fiber network nearly $1 million in debt, Mayor John Laesch says

September 5, 2025 at 12:55 p.m.

OnLight Aurora, which manages the city of Aurora's fiber network, has been financially mismanaged and is nearly $1 million in debt, Aurora Mayor John Laesch told the city council earlier...

Aurora looks to Boys and Girls Clubs for after-school, summer programs

September 2, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

The city of Aurora is considering partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central Illinois for after-school and summer programs.

People shop at El Paso Mas Grande on Aurora's far West Side last year. The Aurora City Council on Tuesday voted to locally extend a grocery tax set to expire statewide at the end of the year. (Steve Lord/The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council agrees to continue grocery tax amid budget concerns

August 27, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

The Aurora City Council, amid talk of budget concerns, has agreed to locally extend a grocery tax set to expire statewide at the end of the year.

City of Aurora officials, working through the 2026 budgeting process, say the city is facing a nearly $30 million deficit. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora facing nearly $30 million budget deficit, city officials say

August 25, 2025 at 4:51 p.m.

Aurora officials are in the process of building the 2026 budget, which they say currently has a nearly $30 million deficit.

John Laesch speaks after being inaugurated as the new mayor of Aurora during a ceremony at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Aurora Mayor John Laesch looks back on his first 100 days in office

August 24, 2025 at 12:40 p.m.

Aurora Mayor John Laesch said he has prioritized the budget and listening to residents during his first 100 days in office, but he has also been laying the groundwork for...

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