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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Nicholas Richard-Thompson, Deputy Chief of Staff
DATE: March 17th, 2026
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article VI, Sections 2-412 and 2-413 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, Illinois, regarding Participation Limits, Leadership Capacity, Liaison Designations, and Geographic Requirements for Board and Commission Events.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this request is to update the city’s governance framework for Boards and Commissions. These amendments aim to prevent leadership burnout, ensure diverse resident participation by limiting the number of concurrent appointments, and formalize aldermanic engagement for specific advisory bodies. Additionally, the amendments ensure that city-affiliated events and fundraisers prioritize and support the local Aurora economy
BACKGROUND:
Participation Limits: To prevent volunteer burnout and invite new community voices, membership is capped at three boards and chair positions at two. Current members exceeding these limits are "grandfathered" until their existing terms expire.
Liaison Updates: The Mayor is granted authority to designate Aldermanic Liaisons specifically to Cultural and Historic Heritage and Advisory Boards to enhance communication. between these bodies and the City Council.
Geographic Focus: To support the local economy and ensure accessibility, all official board events and fundraisers must stay within Aurora city limits, with a formal waiver process through the Mayor and RAP Committee for necessary exceptions.
DISCUSSION:
As the city’s advisory landscape has grown, the need for standardized participation limits has become clear to ensure that more residents have the opportunity to serve. Historically, some members have served numerous bodies, which can lead to scheduling conflicts and concentrated influence. Furthermore, as the Cultural and Advisory Boards have taken on more significant roles in the community, request for Aldermanic Liaisons has been made by several alderpersons to bridge the gap between these boards and the City Council. The restriction on event locations stems from a desire to ensure that municipal resources and board-led initiatives directly benefit the taxpayers and businesses within Aurora city limits.
The proposed changes include:
Participation Limits: Capping membership at three boards/commissions and chair positions at two. Current members exceeding these limits are "grandfathered" in until their current terms expire.
Liaison Updates: Granting the Mayor the authority to designate Aldermanic Liaisons to Cultural and Historic Heritage and Advisory Boards to enhance communication.
Geographic Focus: Requiring all official events/fundraisers to stay within Aurora, with a formal waiver process through the Mayor and the Rules, Administration, and Procedures (RAP) Committee for exceptions.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
These changes will improve civic engagement by opening more seats for residents to participate in local government. Public events will now be more consistently accessible within the city and support local business.
City Staff Liaisons will have clearer guidelines for event planning. The Mayor’s Office and the RAP Committee will see a slight increase in administrative review for any event requested exceptions.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request that the proposed ordinance amendments be enacted to improve the efficiency, diversity, and local focus of our Boards and Commissions
cc: Rules, Administration, and Procedures (RAP)
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article VI, Sections 2-412 and 2-413 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, Illinois, regarding Participation Limits, Leadership Capacity, Liaison Designations, and Geographic Requirements for Board and Commission Events..
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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 it necessary to update the regulations governing Boards and Commissions to ensure a high level of civic engagement, prevent leadership fatigue, and ensure that diverse perspectives are represented across all advisory bodies; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora seeks to prioritize local economic development and community accessibility by requiring that board-affiliated events and fundraisers occur within municipal boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Office has identified a need for enhanced communication between the City Council and specific advisory bodies through the designation of Aldermanic Liaisons; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the home rule powers of the City and the general authority to manage municipal operations, the City Council finds these amendments to be in the best interest of the residents of Aurora;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: That Section 2-412 and Section 2-413 of the Code of Ordinances are hereby amended as provided in Exhibit A to this Ordinance.