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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Shannon Cameron, Chief of Staff
DATE: November 10, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a lease agreement with Illinois Workers in Action to provide space at 5 So. Broadway Ave., Aurora, IL 60505.
PURPOSE:
The City of Aurora has an opportunity to partner with Illinois Workers Action (IWA) to provide services to help educate Aurora residents and business owners on their rights with respect to interactions with Immigrations Customs Enforcement (ICE).)
BACKGROUND:
IWA will also work to improve communication between the public and City of Aurora staff with respect to questions about mis-identified APD operations, that are sometimes incorrectly assessed as ICE operations. IWA will provide other services to assist residents in finding family members that have been detained and coordinating with citizens who are currently patrolling Aurora’s streets to meet the needs of the undocumented community..
DISCUSSION:
The proposed resolution to execute a lease agreement with Illinois Workers in Action (IWA) is a strategic, no investment in the City of Aurora's public safety and community stability. It represents a direct and efficient exercise of municipal authority to support the welfare of our residents during a period of heightened federal civil immigration enforcement.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
IWA is providing these services free of charge, and the City of Aurora is providing IWA with reduced rent in the building at 5 So. Broadway Ave., Aurora, IL 60505. The space is currently unused.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Given the immediate need for legal aid and community support amidst heightened federal civil immigration enforcement, and recognizing the minimal fiscal impact to the City, staff strongly recommend the City Council adopt the resolution.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing execution of a lease agreement with Illinois Workers in Action for space at 5 So. Broadway Ave., Aurora, IL 60505.
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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 of Aurora owns property at 5 So. Broadway Ave., Aurora, IL 60505; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora and Illinois Workers in Action ("IWA") wish to enter into a lease agreement for office space at 5 So. Broadway Ave., Aurora, IL 60505, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: hereby authorizes the Mayor or his designee to sign Exhibit A, the Lease Agreement with IWA and any related documents, on behalf of the City of Aurora.