[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6271077,"mediaKeyId","3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b","parentId",3029464,"title","Speakers urge action on harassment allegations and harm-reduction services during public comment","audioSeconds",476,"startMs",256000,"endMs",732000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b&start=256&end=732","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b/thumbnail_256000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271077/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Speakers-urge-action-on-harassment-allegations-and-harm-reduction-services-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271077-a6f27a794a80caea14c59395b4bbb305/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165174&Signature=QsBVh6yPQ9~fjc8Blz4lZfzfCTuJ3rCAbhHBllIi4~Qam4lQegGlqNEbYaFUEp7lLO0ErudnBr8D0hOnfXc-T~xIpc-v0JUvVK9~SZhckgzneyOtWeOJYsYqzNpj92LatssuUrXvSLnkpWWrdvG91SvfdXGgcMuEhU8EGvO0vaa5bgM8sZ4okdhfyq9x7rTHjRNyfYGmqmRfbWQPLe6wFOuvJl~RZZsmBQfBvXYiexyCaleCeYtUrnQGnEfMhCQJPmp4Crtox3n1gv6Enk7GBATZfrIa99UQpG89FxLTTWztjeDFy-uakzoOEnrJKgmizeTIIULFsO~-RTKfZBtuqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Aurora, IL","date","2025-04-17T01:05:40.083Z","article","Two members of the public used the public-comment period at the Jan. 21 Committee of the Whole to make distinct appeals to the council.

Nina Armey accused “Alderman John Lash” of targeted harassment and social-media attacks, saying the conduct was “a clear present and danger to our city” and urging the alderman to resign. Armey alleged coordinated anonymous accounts and wide-ranging harassment, including accusations made against a city employee; she said she had asked the FBI to investigate.

Adam Pauley urged the council to pursue harm-reduction measures and criticized delays in action. Pauley said he had met with a deputy mayor in December and argued the city should move now, noting “we have the ability to change that” and that some local programs are backed by county support; he added that the requested actions “do not cost our city a dime” and cited available opioid funding.

Mayor Richard Irvin thanked the speakers and said the administration had given “the green light” for the harm-reduction action discussed by Pauley and that staff would follow up with the deputy mayor when he returned. Irvin asked staff to ensure the plan proceeds at the downtown commuter center as discussed with residents and advocates.

No formal council action was taken during the meeting on either matter; staff were directed (per the council’s public-comment rules read aloud at the start of the period) to follow up within the scope of the city’s authority after adjournment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Streaming LIVE: Aurora Committee of the Whole Meeting | 01-21-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two public commenters used the Jan. 21 meeting to raise different issues: one accused an alderman of targeted online harassment and asked the council to act; another urged immediate harm-reduction services and said local partners are ready to help. Mayor Irvin acknowledged the comments and said staff will follow up.","taxTitle","Aurora, DuPage County, Illinois","taxId",2648,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271082,"Rules committee advances draft changes to automatic-initiative fund language; includes shred events and full newsletter costs",178,1590000,1768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b&start=1590&end=1768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b/thumbnail_1590000.jpg","/articles/6271082/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Rules-committee-advances-draft-changes-to-automatic-initiative-fund-language-includes-shred-events-and-full-newsletter-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271082-47f8fa37e5082ef802cca25fdeb29a6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165174&Signature=HtXRExbP3x3UWazV9sVxi9pIQ5nR4V0xiP~eXu0o26X5VuHjFoI~BGy9lXF-cjf77qD6FX13VD9fstkmNqofXc9oCfS6CPg7AnmWS1fNG~rHqNJgyGmcRppo2CBYtO4Py4GUPKEhhkDWr7jlIYAjbP2QDI0uVuF~Zyn631EXz-Qb7NBySQEC65FHsjW7qggG4M-xWOH~Q48yaJdVDjYEQABPqznGJ7znnnjE7XBcbTKtQMkH9enJtV7RVkTf-8Veq45ulrHVeUs8qlxG274Yf~P5ptCD-1QYqB8X44OVDkLlsCwx-WIvVKV8k8WWU9gaFy7Es2DOqVTp7z6lnLBbFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Rules, Administration and Procedures committee briefed the full Committee of the Whole on Jan. 21 about proposed amendments to city policy for automatic-initiative funds (agenda item 25-0068).

Committee members said the draft will codify existing uses and clarify eligible expenses. The chair described two specific changes the committee agreed to: allowing funds to be used for shred events (in addition to recycling and cleanup activities already listed) and permitting the full cost of printed newsletters to be charged to the fund rather than limiting coverage to postage.

A council member noted the draft changes equate to a reallocation that the committee described in the meeting as setting $37,500 for each (the transcript did not specify the total fund or all affected line items). Committee leadership said the current language is available in the agenda packet and that a traditional ordinance and memo will be prepared before the item is presented to the full council as new business next week.

Council members asked for the revised language to be circulated earlier than the standard 48-hour packet notice; staff said the revised text is available in the RAP (Rules, Administration and Procedures) packet and that a formal memo will accompany the item when it goes to council.","The Rules, Administration and Procedures committee reported changes to a draft amendment governing the use of automatic-initiative funds. Committee chair said language will add shredded-material events and allow full newsletter printing costs; the measure will appear as new business at the full council next week.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271087,"City outlines phased right-of-way purchases and $15–16 million construction award for Farnsworth corridor work",91,1437000,1528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b&start=1437&end=1528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b/thumbnail_1437000.jpg","/articles/6271087/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/City-outlines-phased-right-of-way-purchases-and-1516-million-construction-award-for-Farnsworth-corridor-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271087-442e0f4520e2e2984f3fb9d403343773/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165174&Signature=QzfhRnTUDoUQmeITnAU~606AgSjJ8CXtI4hrt0gb9DXzcYr5vTi5Lcl5i~mhNRkWV1bycRRSZZH8Rc9DVSl~g3oHD3lYvCVwN6Z6qVXQe~r-aBXjkUTaWdoa11Meup7ldf5k8YMd1uCTzxzfqkVKNC17zVRYYayB-VoKQKmyTmZWmFCly~bNSvXEFVGNQOmZ5Rx7lG2~-BYq2JVpJ3iuuYY-MnVroTGDptWFoMCq5W8yLqGAJUXpYxtUjJ9x1Wa9SbBxmx4Y3GIdChghlT1P01lxuDcBJPvVzvBrVpxDWZTezSNtoi26sjroKS4k5xtRVTWlC7~zlpGiMn31UAfGQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aurora’s public works director told the Committee of the Whole on Jan. 21 that negotiations are underway to buy parcels needed for the Farnsworth/Wiltershire roadway project and that construction has been awarded to begin this year.

Ken Trove said an outside firm negotiating on the city’s behalf has secured about “five or six out of the 15 parcels” needed and expects to acquire the remaining parcels in coming months. Trove said council previously authorized the city to negotiate under federal procedures for right-of-way purchases.

Trove said the council has awarded a construction contract on the order of $15 million to $16 million and that the initial scope targets work north and east of the Thornton’s site. The administration’s goal is to complete those initial sections ahead of mid-November events (described during the meeting as “Black Friday events”), with remaining portions to be completed the following year depending on budget availability.

No specific acquisition timetable for the remaining parcels was set at the meeting; Trove told members they would return with additional parcels and purchase actions in the coming months.","Public Works Director Ken Trove told the council the city has negotiated to purchase several parcels for the Farnsworth roadway project and that a $15–16 million construction contract has been awarded to begin work this year, with a target to complete initial segments before mid-November events.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271092,"Galena Hotel planned development pulled for more parking analysis; Alderman raises downtown parking concerns",242,702000,944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b&start=702&end=944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b/thumbnail_702000.jpg","/articles/6271092/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Galena-Hotel-planned-development-pulled-for-more-parking-analysis-Alderman-raises-downtown-parking-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271092-c03c9b5515d105e609b3030d09afc1e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165174&Signature=eBR0TTuZ1dxxw3rkYydrrTW9wjD6uYpvNXaLpzc5MMX0Wxkhl5NHDnPShxWoqFMHMzfxPPGwRcpdt2n17SaFc6bcv7KtoqhQzzBIKmeWVnIXuiOpzyUfPxriU~yhoS6ZTTXvHoSySCLAq8WfRZDwN1vwDlQ4KfsUkfgvQYhzMFpxjUERSeruVPnaqA0ABZqxLJm0jk~F0gdcbpEU~rmRRtWF1tHljIb1YIrKyA3nUsB~vQrwNOK5ebK10y1mdPf0cx-FSaiywvS2dAIs3YPuBDNu3B2agVuOLxUWJskPVmf8ajOplUbbjkFgRccgNYwDh7q72cnCmuyp8SFnCVx7Sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A plan to approve a conditional-use planned development for the Galena Hotel at 116 West Galena Boulevard was pulled from the consent agenda Jan. 21 after aldermen raised concerns about parking for future residents.

Alderman Lash, who held the item, asked, “if somebody moves into this apartment, where do they park? Do they park in public spaces?” Jill Morgan, senior planner for zoning and planning, responded that the developer intends to use adjacent city lots and is arranging for overnight parking options; she said the developer has told prospective tenants about the parking situation.

Ken Trove, public works director and city engineer, told the committee the city is developing a downtown parking plan and has a multi-department subcommittee that meets monthly to analyze conditions and propose solutions. Trove said additional parking is expected when the nearby casino relocates and when other downtown projects are completed.

After discussion, the council chair said the item would be placed on unfinished business because an alderman may have a conflict (Alderman Warman) and because council members asked for more definitive parking arrangements. No formal vote to approve the Galena Hotel plan occurred at this meeting.","A proposed conditional-use planned development for the Galena Hotel at 116 W. Galena Blvd. was removed from the consent agenda and placed on unfinished business after aldermen questioned where future residents would park.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271097,"Council approves consent agenda including grants, contracts and appointments; several items held for follow-up",1131,85000,1216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b&start=85&end=1216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029464-ca994e578faa50604a87231c01fa4d0b/thumbnail_85000.jpg","/articles/6271097/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Council-approves-consent-agenda-including-grants-contracts-and-appointments-several-items-held-for-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271097-8b71cb5aff9eab28a0894b1106ae56f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165174&Signature=FW2pfAv8xfXDkMtSNZjl32G39l9OfxnSUnFQU9OdyupIShfNRyOsVdNhSWHn0fzjEp0n4XMSvHOCpuKJQk~tAwTjfiJwbySV0IpWYtfi32waKm~clvg5hQQSLftyZcspUR~PMvY2AdzIEnGm~73xlj84lyXcc~p~fAdkNGGVXeedkDkjBOrmeHVRqmehJmV84upTlem6mJe002GTecXJ8DjVMrN8Do7I6dC4EHVc5lNHt8OZCXFFNUNruZ~kxP3UUfudw~hypMWudM9PqCSxou322Z5HkOmoUfYhsWWEuzpwfv5yd5iQT7eX9BtXWMCq10PnqMCRdSF8VQR8eLmq7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Aurora Committee of the Whole approved a consent agenda on Jan. 21 that covered dozens of routine ordinances, resolutions and contracts, including grant acceptances, fleet purchases, infrastructure contracts and appointments.

The most prominent consent items approved by voice vote included a $39,981 federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security for building-resiliency code updates (with a required nonfederal match of $13,327), authorization to buy replacement and additional city vehicles (up to $1,570,000), and several water and sewer contracts and repairs, including a rehabilitation of water distribution pumps not to exceed $402,000. The council also approved a resolution allowing the city to adopt electronic bidding procedures in purchasing code changes, which staff said will save about $30,000 annually.

Council also confirmed personnel and administrative items on consent: the appointment of Steve Calizza as superintendent of Parks and Recreation and authorization for the chief human resources officer to execute a workers’ compensation settlement (claim number 18QQ051559314). The Aurora Police Department’s Youth Explorers memorandum of understanding with Learning for Life was approved; staff reported 21 youth are enrolled in the post.

Several procurement and professional-service contracts were approved on consent, including a privacy review contract line item included on the agenda (contracting authority listed as up to $100,000 in the packet), a Connolly Electric task order for $53,500, and multiple water and sewer project amendments and unit-price authorizations. A Brand Excavating contract tied to an IEPA loan (contract amount $3,261,280) was noted as pending approval of the IEPA loan.

Not all items were finalized. An ordinance and related rezoning for the Galena Hotel project (116 West Galena Boulevard) was removed from consent for discussion and later placed on unfinished business; a street-name change item and other routine map/name changes were approved on consent.

Minutes from the Jan. 7, 2025 meeting were approved (motion credited to “Mister Smith,” second by “Mister Magarza”) by voice vote. The meeting adjourned after a voice vote of the committee.","Aurora’s Committee of the Whole approved a broad consent agenda on Jan. 21, 2025, adopting grants, fleet purchases, construction and professional service contracts, and two personnel actions. A handful of items were held or placed on unfinished business for later consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Speakers urge action on harassment allegations and harm-reduction services during public comment

Rules committee advances draft changes to automatic-initiative fund language; includes shred events and full newsletter costs

City outlines phased right-of-way purchases and $15–16 million construction award for Farnsworth corridor work

Galena Hotel planned development pulled for more parking analysis; Alderman raises downtown parking concerns

Council approves consent agenda including grants, contracts and appointments; several items held for follow-up