Working Families Aurora will host a forum for potential 1st Ward aldermanic candidates from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Marywood Community Center, 1405 Church Road in Aurora.
The forum aims to provide an opportunity for individuals who wish to run in the election for the position of 1st Ward alderman. Candidates can present their visions and policies and engage with the community on key issues, event organizers said.
The forum will be moderated by Casildo “Casey” Cuevas.
The election is April 1, 2025. The contest in the 1st Ward is necessary because Emmanual Llamas resigned as 1st Ward alderman on Aug. 1.
Dan Barreiro was recently appointed by Mayor Richard Irvin to fill the 1st Ward seat on the City Council. Barreiro’s appointment will be voted on by the City Council on Tuesday. If approved, he must stand for election at the next regular city election, which is April 1, 2025. That seat will be for two years – until 2027 – when the 1st Ward seat was scheduled to be up for election.
According to a press release from Working Families Aurora, the organization will use the tax increment financing district recently established for the relocation of Hollywood Casino-Aurora as a litmus test. The City Council also passed $58 million in bonds to give the casino $50 million up front. The money will be paid back by the increment generated in the TIF district.
According to a Working Families press release, “WFA only endorses candidates who adamantly reject corporate PAC funds and political contributions from individuals or entities with city contracts or seeking taxpayer-funded subsidies like TIFs.”
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