[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6192033,"mediaKeyId","4141754-e29188eccf861d0ff639a7f7e69d231d","parentId",4141754,"title","Aurora to use Gogo Grandparent as short‑term replacement for senior ride service; up to $100,000 budgeted","audioSeconds",51,"startMs",3609000,"endMs",3660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4141754-e29188eccf861d0ff639a7f7e69d231d&start=3609&end=3660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4141754-e29188eccf861d0ff639a7f7e69d231d/thumbnail_3609000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192033/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Aurora-to-use-Gogo-Grandparent-as-shortterm-replacement-for-senior-ride-service-up-to-100000-budgeted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192033-4c078235cd52b766c744f8d347548a25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160024&Signature=fpCdNVSyjoTDiNKX04c6Sq2rj-9s43KEdK70wq--9AGocHuRu0LQhmA0qqPWLvzUvWsCSyrnRz-Bs9U6dS5IWCNjF-7IydkJfCWDqqTgWcrczaTXGFO4GkIYwgMDQYjjT9mpzAoLWwkWTQ0Yyw0lv2HLCebumu0N~ZwmJ8AsW5wBfFTRIn6CmZae8Ng41in9ya63sQ8zhhMUAD82q8FZhqLaeiov2y5uUnBHJGw7yy5aCOOQ1oqsKfScyifSULUq2PS21NVEUU1qGNxi1DdYZryYT3mlQbizw8Q4QMmA40qUInxXz2wKMvyVsh1sSA26sgCOq~-HbjckifgF0H~MWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Aurora, IL","date","2025-06-18T11:31:52Z","article","The Committee of the Whole heard a resolution to name Gogo Grandparent as a replacement contractor for the City of Aurora’s senior transportation program for the remainder of the contract year. The replacement is intended to supplement service after the previous vendor could not meet contract terms.

Alderman Franco and other members described receiving calls and letters from senior citizens when the prior vendor fell short. The committee report said the replacement contract would run through Dec. 31, 2025, and use remaining program budget funds not to exceed $100,000. Katrina Boatwright and city staff worked to arrange the short‑term replacement, and councilors thanked staff for the quick solution.

There was no recorded roll‑call vote at the Committee of the Whole; an alderman noted the item would be placed on the consent agenda for council action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Streaming LIVE: Aurora Committee of the Whole | 06-17-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council was briefed on a resolution to approve Gogo Grandparent as a replacement contractor for the city’s senior ride program through Dec. 31, 2025, using remaining budget funding not to exceed $100,000.","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},6192037,"Finance committee reviews $500,000 pledge to VNA Health for Bloom Haven clinic; $250,000 proposed this year, remainder in 2026",188,3244000,3432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4141754-e29188eccf861d0ff639a7f7e69d231d&start=3244&end=3432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4141754-e29188eccf861d0ff639a7f7e69d231d/thumbnail_3244000.jpg","/articles/6192037/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Finance-committee-reviews-500000-pledge-to-VNA-Health-for-Bloom-Haven-clinic-250000-proposed-this-year-remainder-in-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192037-2835faf41ebc29bed8525a8b37d7dfce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160024&Signature=fBdoYSmj2ZieSlD9H~xZWYg3Xe0zdemJt02wPLJ8fuSmekhhdtQyRW~h15vSg9csHijq4YEZA1dh0-VXzq4i2OhqmZg7w8DcC~vsISVYvUnkZX0-YM9WH~8fUz45IjssHAMCucA0XvudoxxTR0fJ2Q0220HvnMKEfa7ZCdBJQ93MxEoaurWrRt9L-7UN2lKkxhlorAP8HWX61NrNDbvZi-Qp4fTPZdDeUCNjxlsbV9QO6vDv4VUKGKyWANYsjY-bxbrLlgsOMiiOb0qDkkqn69qRYrLfHLl6AJSb4f~VhTdfNN6lK9-fE5eVyySi1tJYGzxdKSs3L8R1FZ5-WevScA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Chief Financial Officer Chris Minnick and finance committee members discussed a city pledge to provide $500,000 in support of VNA Health’s clinic at the newly completed Bloom Haven campus during the June 12 finance committee review and again at the June 17 Committee of the Whole.

Minnick described Bloom Haven as a $129 million mixed‑use redevelopment of the former Copley Hospital site that includes senior housing, medical offices and a clinic leased to VNA Health. He said the Bloom Haven Clinic was completed in April 2025 and carried an estimated construction and equipment cost of about $8 million.

The city previously pledged $500,000 but the amount was not included in the 2025 budget. Minnick told the committee the city and VNA have agreed to a two‑part payment plan: $250,000 to be paid within 45 days after council approval of an agreement, and $250,000 included in the 2026 budget and payable prior to June 30, 2026. The first payment would come from interest earnings on casino bond proceeds, Minnick said, and the 2026 payment would be determined during the 2026 budget process.

Alderman White asked why the $500,000 was not included in 2025; Minnick said the timing of the pledge and agreement occurred after the budget was advanced in the staff review process. Council discussion noted VNA’s role providing low‑cost care regardless of insurance status and the city’s desire to support neighborhood health services. Minnick said no city funds had yet been disbursed and that the resolution before the committee would authorize the mayor to execute a legal agreement consistent with the term sheet in the committee packet.

Committee members did not record a final council vote on the floor during the June 17 meeting; staff indicated the resolution would move through the council approval process and that the first installment would be released upon execution of the agreement.","Finance committee discussed a previously pledged $500,000 grant to VNA Health for a new clinic at the Bloom Haven redevelopment; staff proposed paying $250,000 within 45 days of council approval and the remaining $250,000 in the 2026 budget year.",{"_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},6192042,"Aurora proclaims Juneteenth holiday; community members say city removed flag raising event",2244,317000,2561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4141754-e29188eccf861d0ff639a7f7e69d231d&start=317&end=2561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4141754-e29188eccf861d0ff639a7f7e69d231d/thumbnail_317000.jpg","/articles/6192042/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Aurora-proclaims-Juneteenth-holiday-community-members-say-city-removed-flag-raising-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192042-67b3762a68810a082e1b3d39943036fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160024&Signature=fz2sw~36aOs5gAOoqnQxuSJwG~EgHUNrwKXB0AKZ4d32ErHCrBAfHg9zyb7aSMiLyzOqGjo9GS8tyFVZihiGkIpXuqGh1HCHPYvLH6iLls2WedEmCmh8qjLoh7uxPN1eaVpf6ymHOzaa2sel0-InwGW2C1asPPfCR19cSqpaW2NKTNMuJx2U9hfIZ5cU1qPPRKgC5cNqBij-EYoQfcL54bZ6tlhIlUe37C5ft7~5wxJCNhXSyppG1X4nEtwv7qIpzq0w1x0MChufEiBcU3Vb5r6~3Cyp0981uRgJ11xHNfXkFs3sDKNZ2NEVM1aJa5ywIhKCJqWx1BkRQ0xGvZxJtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor John Lash read a proclamation declaring June 19, 2025, a day of Juneteenth observance in Aurora during the June 17 Committee of the Whole. The proclamation recognized Juneteenth’s federal and state status and recalled the city council’s prior action to make Juneteenth a paid city holiday.

Members of the public and city advisory board members used the meeting’s public comment portion to say the administration removed the city’s Juneteenth flag‑raising. Curtis Wilson, chair of the African American Heritage Advisory Board, told the council that the event had occurred annually and that the board produced multiple flag‑raisings in prior years. “Our once proud city of Aurora under this new administration has intentionally decided to dishonor Juneteenth with the calculated surprise elimination of the Juneteenth flag raising,” Wilson said during public comment.

Wilson noted the council previously approved a related action (he cited “Resolution 22‑084”) and said his board had not been consulted about the alleged elimination. He asked council members to reinstate visibility for Juneteenth and said the celebration has local meaning for descendants of enslaved people. The mayor and staff did not offer an immediate response to the specific complaint at the time of public comment.

At the meeting’s podium, the mayor read language that invoked Juneteenth’s place in national history and Aurora’s 2022 vote to make Juneteenth a city holiday. Mayor Lash said the city acknowledges local leaders and community groups that organize Juneteenth observances and encouraged residents to celebrate.

There was no formal council vote reported on changing the city’s event schedule; public comment rules require staff follow‑up on concerns “within the scope of the city’s authority” after the meeting. The African American Heritage Advisory Board and members of the public asked for explanation and engagement from the administration about event planning and the flag‑raising schedule.","Mayor John Lash read a Juneteenth proclamation at the June 17 meeting, while public commenters and African American Heritage Advisory Board members said the city eliminated the traditional Juneteenth flag‑raising event and asked for engagement and explanation.",{"_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},6192047,"Aurora details $23.5 million River Edge Park expansion; interim completion targeted for October",602,989000,1591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4141754-e29188eccf861d0ff639a7f7e69d231d&start=989&end=1591","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4141754-e29188eccf861d0ff639a7f7e69d231d/thumbnail_989000.jpg","/articles/6192047/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Aurora-details-235-million-River-Edge-Park-expansion-interim-completion-targeted-for-October","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192047-6b5535e9f160d6a1546c5d416ffe337c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160024&Signature=AyewSs8jdIlEa1rzU2XRBWUTpX3~IaZ-f5Q5QGGr1HETV6mwhzXW6X7PQZOiTkBgH65p1mmLGNNH0as0I0xKn~k~A3Pa74WIatz~b-apL0XCjzNCxFSTu2Cvr7qFuvTEHA-gZzIDoXFqMugM2S5lhXRVgbiOmT1YI416-CcGPreAoI-H3ZU2MZ~enGzWskFPx2rn2auGPTs~zB5eJc~4MOy5Im-i-I~vGxMAqdIonAwvKG2qEVj7Zt9yKllFNnmInbo-i8AFDqkjzAbBlYunrK4TFdZkDcGKkxHNK0bz1UwvE0qQ99jVM8OaI7~zAJfr4RTwXf0qWER3CGrl2uk6QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jason Bauer, interim director of public works for the City of Aurora, told the Committee of the Whole on June 17 that the city is moving forward with a major expansion and renovation of River Edge Park to address backstage deficiencies and improve the patron experience. The project budget is “a little over $23,500,000,” Bauer said, with an interim completion target of October and final completion by May 2026.

The project is intended to fix two broad problem areas Bauer called “back of house” and “front of house.” Back‑of‑house work includes a new two‑story, accessible backstage building with elevator, storage and staff amenities. Front‑of‑house improvements include a new permanent restroom building, two large jumbotron screens, and a beverage pavilion with multiple service windows. “The size of the venue is about 6 thousands, about 6,000 patrons,” Bauer said, describing the park’s current capacity and the limits that have affected artist bookings.

The beverage pavilion will be sited on the south side of the park and includes an upper VIP deck and a large patio to manage queuing. Bauer said the new lawn seating to the south of the beverage pavilion will add roughly 1,000 to 2,000 seats but that the city will “start that slow and see how it goes” to avoid overwhelming operations.

Construction management is being provided by RC Wegman; Ratio Architects designed the work. Bauer said the city split the project into bid packages to allow early backstage work to proceed without disrupting Christkindlmarket loading and events. He reported strong local participation among bidders and said about $8 million of the contracts are to firms within 15 miles, including several Aurora companies.

Bauer described early foundation issues encountered during excavation. “We had to go all the way down to bedrock,” he said, and noted some foundations are bearing on bedrock at depths of “25, 30 feet.” He said that once the deep foundations were completed, work has gone “a lot smoother.”

Council members pressed staff for fiscal and program details. Alderman Smith asked whether staff had an estimate for annual incremental revenue from food, beverage and entertainment after the expansion; Bauer and representatives said revenue forecasts will be developed after the first season using the new facilities and that ACA (Aurora Civic Center Authority) estimates will factor in patron totals and types of acts attracted. Alderman Smith also raised the city’s summer entertainment schedule displaced by construction; Shannon Cameron, chief of staff, said some events will move to the Paramount Theatre and other locations to lower city costs for staging, safety and equipment.

Accessibility was discussed. An alderman raised concerns about patrons with mobility needs; Bauer said the city has relocated an ADA drop‑off and runs shuttle/transport carts to move patrons from dedicated parking to a designated seating area, and that the carts can accommodate people in wheelchairs without transfers. He said the ADA transport system uses multiple carts to make short trips and that the approach has been in place for about two years.

Remaining procurement items Bauer said staff will return to council on include the second jumbotron purchase, site Wi‑Fi and cameras, door access controls, and furniture/fixtures/speakers. He said ECHA (likely the event booking authority) has already received “positive review” from touring managers about the planned backstage upgrades.

Bauer asked councilors to be patient with Christkindlmarket layout changes this year; the market will be reconfigured south of the beverage pavilion and some booths temporarily relocated during construction. He reiterated the city’s schedule goals: interim completion in October to be ready for Christkindlmarket and final completion in May 2026 to be ready for concert season.","City staff and construction managers described a $23.5 million project to expand backstage facilities, restrooms and seating at River Edge Park, aiming for interim completion by October and final completion next spring; councilors pressed for revenue and accessibility figures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aurora to use Gogo Grandparent as short‑term replacement for senior ride service; up to $100,000 budgeted

Finance committee reviews $500,000 pledge to VNA Health for Bloom Haven clinic; $250,000 proposed this year, remainder in 2026

Aurora proclaims Juneteenth holiday; community members say city removed flag raising event

Aurora details $23.5 million River Edge Park expansion; interim completion targeted for October