R. Christian Smith – Page 34

The new Hollywood Casino-Aurora resort's hotel has been built to its full height and now has most of its windows installed, city officials said Thursday. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Aurora officials say construction of new Hollywood Casino resort on schedule

February 7, 2025 at 2:58 p.m.

Construction of the new $360 million Hollywood Casino-Aurora resort is progressing on schedule and within budget, Aurora officials announced on Thursday.

A developer is proposing to put around 30 apartments in the upper floors of the Aurora National Bank building at the corner of Broadway and Galena Boulevard in Aurora, and is asking the city for a financial incentive to help with the project. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Three planned residential developments in Aurora seek city financial assistance

February 5, 2025 at 4:16 p.m.

Three new projects are looking to put residential units in historic buildings in Aurora, and the city is considering a variety of incentives to help with the developments.

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, third from left, met with a group of around 20 representatives from local civic organizations, governments and others at the Aurora Public Library’s West Branch on Friday to hear their concerns about federal funding and other issues. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Aurora-area groups share concerns about possible federal funding cuts

February 4, 2025 at 4:39 p.m.

Hesed House's executive director and others told U.S. Rep. Bill Foster about their concerns about federal funding and other issues.

The event celebrating the launch of the new Aurora Regional Economic Alliance on Friday started in the lobby of the Copley Theatre, where local leaders in business and government, including state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, center, left, mingled before lunch in the Meyer Ballroom. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

New organization aims to transform Aurora region into ‘premier hub of innovation’

February 3, 2025 at 4:55 p.m.

The Aurora Regional Economic Alliance, recently formed by joining together four local organizations, has an "ambitious agenda" to turn the region into a hub of innovation and technological advancement.

Aurora's upcoming special census has been postponed by the federal government as the U.S. Census Bureau awaits the installment of new federal leadership, city officials said Thursday. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

Aurora officials say special census postponed by federal government

January 30, 2025 at 4:25 p.m.

Aurora's upcoming special census, which was originally set to begin in early February, has been postponed by the federal government as the U.S. Census Bureau awaits the installment of new...

Mayor: Following ‘longstanding practice,’ Aurora police not enforcing federal immigration laws

January 30, 2025 at 3:21 p.m.

In a statement sent to The Beacon-News Wednesday evening, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said a person's legal status is not considered when Aurora police carry out their duties. That information...

Brad Berns of Aurora stops his bike near the entrance to the pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Fox River in Aurora in 2021. The bridge is now closed until fall due to an expansion project at RiverEdge Park. (David Sharos / For The Beacon-News)

Pedestrian bridge over Fox River in Aurora closed until fall due to RiverEdge Park expansion project

January 29, 2025 at 4:36 p.m.

The bridge is being closed because construction is set to begin on the RiverEdge Park expansion project, and a "vast amount of construction work" is planned for the east landing...

Micro-unit apartments are planned to be put into the historic former Galena Hotel in downtown Aurora. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council approves micro-unit apartment plan for historic former hotel

January 29, 2025 at 3:11 p.m.

Developer Fernando Barrera plans to rehabilitate the former Galena Hotel in downtown Aurora, which has been vacant since 2020, to hold over 20 micro-unit apartments.

The League of Women Voters will hold a forum for Aurora mayoral candidates on Feb. 6 at the Aurora Police Department at 1200 E. Indian Trail in Aurora. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

League of Women Voters to hold Aurora mayoral candidate forum

January 28, 2025 at 4:24 p.m.

The forum will be held at the Aurora Police Department, 1200 E. Indian Trail Road, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Aurora mayoral candidate Karina Garcia’s place on ballot threatened by appeal

January 27, 2025 at 5:07 p.m.

After successfully fending off legal challenges to her candidacy earlier this month, Garcia now faces an appeal to the Kane County Circuit Court decision that placed her back on the...

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