[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6271062,"mediaKeyId","3029483-6652233fc06341e4caf0ff438efe41a5","parentId",3029483,"title","Aurora proclaims ‘Rosary Beads Back‑to‑Back Day’ as city honors IHSA state champions","audioSeconds",838,"startMs",288000,"endMs",1126000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029483-6652233fc06341e4caf0ff438efe41a5&start=288&end=1126","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029483-6652233fc06341e4caf0ff438efe41a5/thumbnail_288000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271062/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Aurora-proclaims-Rosary-Beads-BacktoBack-Day-as-city-honors-IHSA-state-champions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271062-92e53f0c886ebbc5bc16e5bc5a91a27b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166461&Signature=FkleN6UxLc-~Ax9cBqoQPOdTga3U4wQX7R3pRmbR8jSbSne-YoRTrFoABXjwhq-aRVAxfSonuPZi9MscMLxrOrMkzJgv2VbBDVnuZIsmuTq4pwReMAuwauZnoGyxeTaU7J7OUj~whPbqMpUjFIK5YyekRo7Z1a8joiuC-E37kJ0lPfk2xvBRpsan57BN6NAdVuo34C-XraI1FNexccThi9miIuXK0j0gH~x8x6L4ciWeH1CuHdHXT13Zm63Ej3TMG2h9l~JcFSDdeS9mSs3l7ka2WM8b2J0IKbrr1oSwyQjFKU8KCdxuetZc0budcHbMDVwOGGlF05h3j0Uyeop0tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Aurora, IL","date","2025-04-17T01:05:58.67Z","article","The council took time at the start of its Dec. 3 meeting to honor Rosary High School’s girls swim team after the team won its second consecutive Illinois High School Association state championship.

The ceremonial portion included remarks from a school representative and Coach Glenn Brown. Coach Brown told the assembled crowd, “These girls earned it. They worked hard all year. I told them all year, anybody can win one, but it takes a special group to win two.” Athletes were recognized individually by name during the presentation; the mayor presented a proclamation and the city awarded a Mayor’s Award of Excellence and other tokens of recognition.

The proclamation (read at the meeting) designated Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, as “Rosary Beads Back‑to‑Back Day” in Aurora and noted the team’s history, naming the roster and coaching staff mentioned in the proclamation. The mayor and aldermen applauded the team and encouraged a citywide celebration.

Why it matters: the ceremony was civic recognition of local student‑athletes’ accomplishment and provided visible community support for extracurricular achievement.

Council action: this was a ceremonial proclamation and presentation; the matter did not require formal council vote or budgetary action during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Streaming LIVE: Aurora Committee of the Whole Meeting | 12-03-2024","oneSentenceSummary","Council hosted Rosary High School’s girls swim team to recognize back‑to‑back IHSA state championships, presented awards and a mayoral proclamation naming Dec. 16 a day in their honor.","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},6271067,"Resident complaints about Orchard Road sound fence surface as finance committee flags SSA24 for follow‑up",519,1324000,1843000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029483-6652233fc06341e4caf0ff438efe41a5&start=1324&end=1843","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029483-6652233fc06341e4caf0ff438efe41a5/thumbnail_1324000.jpg","/articles/6271067/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Resident-complaints-about-Orchard-Road-sound-fence-surface-as-finance-committee-flags-SSA24-for-followup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271067-2fa38c301f6b5428e30a3d9e42e8a4db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166461&Signature=fOTjo34aJvBMUC5ZdHjNupeZcWFmfpFMAHC~JMVU1It8JmXb1a4O0WP3cihk5P-vwwqsKDYooM6FLE49ohw76hS-NdFm7IC50A44c8CNQWvO94YWIWarSQCQD4D9Aw6L2wohJFYQ7xBVslWIFAPfRTcmTsWm5x871gUQOeYDAnpA63aQSsLyCcX0TiKM2OMhp8GoLnfiM1bHAoZ0J~yJzVBKpZyOGGx1XC0TJOudY5JEKGBYqxQpFZYCrZ7Zdi-ZvFMg88JJNAR0YdXbcdvidZWP9h~T7PTOB7nTJPL8gDASnrDm80cVZ3020qPFxQbiO6ClKG3xmIioFN25Qyc3nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","James Buzzard used the public‑comment period on Dec. 3 to press the council for maintenance of the Orchard Road sound fence, calling its current condition “an eyesore” and asking how much is budgeted for yearly maintenance.

Buzzard said the fence has looked neglected “for almost a full year” and described it as an unattractive entryway to Aurora. He also questioned city property purchases elsewhere while the fence near his neighborhood remains in poor condition.

Finance committee discussion: During the finance committee report, Alderman Bugaj and committee members referenced Special Service Area 24 (SSA24) in connection with maintenance of the fence adjacent to a homeowners association. Chief Financial Officer Chris Minnick told council he would email SSA 24’s total balance to Alderman Bugaj the next morning.

Why it matters: SSA 24 is funded by a special service area assessment charged to properties that benefit from the maintenance; residents in the affected area had raised the fence condition as an ongoing concern. Council members indicated the SSA exists to cover this type of maintenance and asked staff for the financial status of the fund.

Council action and next steps: SSA24 was discussed during the finance committee report and was included on consent items in committee; a council member requested the item be held unfinished at the committee level for follow‑up. Staff committed to provide a balance for SSA24 to council members by email. No final council action to change maintenance spending was recorded at this meeting.

Direct quote: “I’d really like to find out how much is budgeted yearly…for the maintenance of a fence that looks like part of a war zone,” James Buzzard said during public comment.

Staff and committee follow‑up: The city’s CFO will circulate the SSA24 balance to interested aldermen; further budget or maintenance requests will require staff proposals or a formal council action to adjust SSA assessments or city spending.","A resident told council the Orchard Road sound fence is in disrepair and an eyesore; finance committee members linked the concern to Special Service Area 24 (SSA24) and staff said the city CFO will provide SSA balance information to aldermen.",{"_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},6271072,"Aurora council advances Aurora’s Promise children’s savings pilot; vote postponed for further review",2654,2632000,5286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029483-6652233fc06341e4caf0ff438efe41a5&start=2632&end=5286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029483-6652233fc06341e4caf0ff438efe41a5/thumbnail_2632000.jpg","/articles/6271072/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Aurora-council-advances-Auroras-Promise-childrens-savings-pilot-vote-postponed-for-further-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271072-1172dd7b9f8ec66ca13416e3d1216686/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166461&Signature=P34LWc69PY3s6B6iXpxk9N~SSiF64SNV5IItQib4GzM3kvSL92zxF-BQ9G9yuyAU5zhgIIQkjW02NQDIqtLX4vYUA61fRx1nbH-ls4RiLFobHjjhcjpYj1Xv~9fHf~KHkPkb5MX4gR-8NMxzpMnfctddXPkNubLw4ETd075XvwCPKQnM~oaeu4Ftqp0HZsprkhbEo~MtxAMUk0wUnidfPFFDGawy~n1L0joxNf8ChX5-xrTvnWqi38GIw78n4jL7aN8Pri11djdaDN5iZ7EkfGYsLn7KrXF0PIfKN2CIlc4gVWh9oPmbqVZnzDK0Afvrzj9cpopb80OS1Ss8OsVujA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Aurora City Council heard a detailed presentation on Dec. 3 about Aurora’s Promise, a proposed children’s savings account (CSA) program that would seed kindergarten accounts with $50 and contract Operation HOPE to administer the program under a 20-year agreement not to exceed $1,983,600.85.

The city’s Chief Community Services Officer, Viviana Ramirez, introduced the proposal and said, “Aurora’s Promise tells our children and our Aurora families that the city of Aurora believes in you.” Ramirez said the program is intended to create an opt‑out model eventually but will begin with an opt‑in pilot so families and schools build awareness during rollout.

Why it matters: the proposal aims to increase postsecondary enrollment and reduce savings disparities by giving every kindergartner in participating districts an account and accompanying financial‑literacy programming. Presenters said national evidence shows even small savings balances are linked with higher college attendance and completion rates.

Program design and pilot: Martha Paschke, director of innovation and strategy, described a phased rollout. The city proposes a pilot in School Districts 129 and 131, districts identified as Title I, with an initial opt‑in period to drive engagement and then a later switch to opt‑out. The pilot includes a $10 activation incentive and a $20 incentive for students who qualify for free or reduced‑price lunch after the pilot period. Paschke said the city will work closely with district parent liaisons and school staff to integrate enrollment information into kindergarten registration.

Operation HOPE’s Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting, Michael Smith, summarized his organization’s role: “Operation Hope…we teach financial literacy through a bunch of different arms,” and described technical assistance, account management, and experience operating similar programs for other cities.

Safeguards and banking details: Council members asked about custodial arrangements and investment risk. Operation HOPE staff said CSA balances will be held in FDIC‑insured bank accounts (presenters cited using large national banks such as U.S. Bank for local convenience) and that accounts are not invested in market instruments; the money is intended to be secure rather than market‑exposed. The presenters described operational steps to keep deposited funds under FDIC insurance thresholds, including opening additional accounts as needed, and said any interest would first cover account maintenance fees.

Equity and eligibility questions: Council members pressed on district inclusion and timeline. Staff said the goal is to include all Aurora children over time; starting with Districts 129 and 131 allows the city to pilot the program in districts where entire districts qualify for free lunch. Staff said the pilot must run for a full year to establish procedures; after that the city will expand eligibility so children in other districts can be included in subsequent cohorts.

Budget and contract: The proposed resolution (agenda item 24‑0813) would authorize the director of purchasing to enter an agreement with Operation HOPE as managing agent for the CSA program for a 20‑year term for a total not to exceed $1,983,600.85. Presenters noted higher start‑up costs in year one, with lower recurring costs thereafter.

Council action: Council members placed the resolution on unfinished business to allow additional review and to align approvals with school registration deadlines; staff said the timing issue concerns getting materials into kindergarten registration packets. The item will return for a vote in a subsequent meeting. No formal vote on award/contract was recorded at this meeting.

Next steps: Staff will finalize contract language and scheduling with the affected school districts, continue discussions about banking and FDIC safeguards, and return the item for a decision at a later meeting.","Council discussed a 20-year agreement with Operation HOPE to run “Aurora’s Promise” children's savings accounts, heard details on pilot design and safeguards, and placed the resolution on unfinished business to allow final review and timing alignment with school registration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aurora proclaims ‘Rosary Beads Back‑to‑Back Day’ as city honors IHSA state champions

Resident complaints about Orchard Road sound fence surface as finance committee flags SSA24 for follow‑up

Aurora council advances Aurora’s Promise children’s savings pilot; vote postponed for further review