Overview

• John Laesch was inaugurated as Aurora’s new mayor on May 13, succeeding two-term mayor Richard Irvin after defeating him in April’s election.
• Laesch emphasized a people-centered economic agenda, prioritizing living-wage job creation and sustainable development initiatives.
• He pledged to address Aurora’s significant debt, calling for fiscal discipline and transparency in the city’s financial planning.
• Laesch committed to fostering better relations with aldermen, promising equal power-sharing and a collaborative governance approach.
• A union carpenter, Navy veteran, and immigrant from Liberia, Laesch also highlighted his support for green-energy construction and opposition to hedge fund-driven rental housing projects.