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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Deborah Lang, Assistant Corporation Counsel
DATE: May 14, 2026
SUBJECT:
An ordinance amending Chapter 2, Section 440, regarding the membership of the Fox Walk Overlay District Design Review Committee.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this minor amendment is to update the name of the new, successor organization from Aurora Downtown to Aurora Downtown District.
BACKGROUND:
On May 12, 2026, the City Council approved Resolution 26-133 (approved May 12, 2026) that created a partnership with Aurora Downtown District, a 503(c)(4) organization to promote downtown businesses. In Chapter 2, Section 440, the prior organization, Aurora Downtown, had a seat on the review committee. The structure of the committee would remain the same, however, the new organization would now be identified in the ordinance.
DISCUSSION:
The organization, Aurora Downtown, no longer exists. Chapter 2, Section 440 of the city's Code of Ordinances, calls for a member of the Fox Walk Overlay District Design Review Committee to come from Aurora Downtown. Due to the formation of the new non-profit organization, Aurora Downtown District, and the partnership with the City of Aurora, via Resolution R26-133, we are requesting that the ordinance is updated to reflect the current name of the new organization. Neither the structure, nor the membership would change, just reflect the new name of the downtown organization. Additionally, a comma was added to separate Fox Valley Park District from the Historic Preservation as there is no Fox Valley Park District Historic Preservation organization.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
These two minor changes will provide clarity for the committee. There are no financial impacts.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
This section should be a short description of the desired action to be taken by the Committee and/or City Council. (E.g. "I request approval to make the aforementioned purchase" -or- "I request the proposed ordinance be enacted."
cc: Rules, Administration and Procedure Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Section 440, regarding the membership of the Fox Walk Overlay District Design Review Committee.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds Aurora Downtown organization no longer exists and that Aurora Downtown District is now a new 503(c)(4) nonprofit providing services to the businesses of downtown Aurora; and that the amendment of Chapter 2, Section 440 will provide clarification of which organization is a member of the review committee; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds it to be in the best interests of the City to amend Chapter 2, Section 440; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
Section One: That Chapter 2, Section 440 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances shall be and hereby is amended as set forth in Exhibit A.
Section Two: That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling, upon its passage and approval.
Section Three: That all ordinances or parts of ordinances thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
Section Four: That any section or provision of this ordinance that is construed to be invalid or void shall not affect the remaining sections or provisions which shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.