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Aurora approves six-month lease for Illinois Workers in Action to offer free immigration legal aid
Summary
Council approved Resolution 250933 to authorize a six-month lease for Illinois Workers in Action at 5 South Broadway to provide free immigration legal aid, know-your-rights trainings and outreach; the resolution passed with unanimous support among voting members present.
Aurora — The Aurora City Council approved Resolution 250933 on Nov. 12, 2025 authorizing a short-term lease with Illinois Workers in Action (IWA) for office space at 5 South Broadway to provide immigration legal aid and community training.
The resolution passed by roll call after a staff presentation described the group as a nonprofit that will offer free immigration legal services, know-your-rights trainings, and referrals. Shannon Cameron, chief of staff for the mayor, said the arrangement is a six-month contract intended to meet urgent needs without additional cost to the city; IWA will pay a small rental fee for the space.
Why it matters: Council members and speakers described a high local demand for accessible immigration legal resources and emphasized safety measures for trainings and appointments. IWA representatives said they typically register attendees and announce specific times/locations only shortly before events to protect participants.
Details and council discussion: Jocelyn Escalona, outreach coordinator for IWA, told council the group’s services are completely free and funded by Illinois Access to Justice, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Chicago Region Food System Fund. Council members asked about process and outreach; staff said the city's budget constraints prevented creation of a larger municipal immigrant services department and framed the lease as a low-cost way to expand services quickly.
Vote and next steps: The contract passed by roll call (10 yes, 0 no; one member recorded as not present). IWA will operate from the leased space and coordinate bilingual outreach materials and know-your-rights resources for residents. City staff said they will monitor the arrangement over the six-month period and coordinate additional support if needed.
The resolution authorizes the chief of staff to finalize lease terms and for IWA to begin outreach and service delivery from the Aurora site.
