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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Austin FitzCorbett, Director at OnLight Aurora
Ram Tyagi, Chief Information Officer
DATE: December 11, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Services Agreement Between the City and OnLight Aurora to Provide Internet Services to the Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision.
PURPOSE:
To approve a Services Agreement under which the City of Aurora will fund Internet services provided by OnLight Aurora to homes in the Habitat for Humanity Habitat Green Freedom subdivision.
BACKGROUND:
The Habitat Green Freedom Project, a Habitat for Humanity initiative, is a residential subdivision aimed at providing affordable, sustainable housing in the City. To support digital equity and ensure residents have access to reliable Internet service, the City has proposed entering into a Services Agreement with OnLight Aurora.
Resolutions R23-132 and R24-153 extended the City's fiber to the entrance to this community.
DISCUSSION:
Under the proposed Services Agreement, OnLight Aurora will provide Internet services to the Habitat Green Freedom subdivision. The City will fund these services to ensure residents have access to high-speed Internet upon occupancy.
This program aligns with the City’s broader goals of equity, connectivity, and smart community development. The 5-year pilot run by Nicor Gas ends in December, 2029 and estimated cost to city is $90,000 over the 5-year period. Upon completion of pilot period, residents of these this community will have the choice to stay with OnLight or switch to other Internet service providers.
Funds for this program are available in account 101-1280-419.44-09.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This agreement will directly support digital inclusion for families in the Habitat Green Freedom subdivision.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Services Agreement Between the City and OnLight Aurora to Provide Internet Services to the Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision.
body
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 has had a Master Service Agreement with OnLight Aurora since 2015; and
WHEREAS, the City has agreed to an amendment to the Master Service Agreement to provide Internet services to the residential sector; and
WHEREAS, the City has extended fiber optic cable to the Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision; and
WHEREAS, OnLight Aurora will provide connectivity, Internet access, as well as monitor and operate the core networks at the Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision; and
WHEREAS, Funding for this program is not to exceed the budget amount of $90,000 between December, 2025 to December, 2029 for the entire 5-year term; and
WHEREAS, Funds for this program are available in account 101-1280-419.44-09.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: approves the execution of a Services Agreement with OnLight Aurora to authorize OnLight Aurora to provide Internet services to the Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision and hereby authorizes the Mayor or his designee to sign said agreement.