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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Deborah Lang, Assistant Corporation Counsel III
Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk
DATE: February 10, 2026
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance amending Sec. 6-2 "Definitions", 6-8 "Classifications" and 6-28 "Hours of Operation" of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of these proposed amendments is to designate the boundaries of and create the currently "Reserved" Farnsworth Bilter Entertainment District and to propose specific requirements in the city's Liquor Code pertaining to the new Hollywood Casino. These specific proposed amendments focus on the Definitions, Classifications and Hours of Operation with the goal of creating another successful Entertainment District in the City of Aurora.
BACKGROUND:
This process began in 2020 with the City Council approving a "Reserved" Farnsworth Bilter Entertainment District at the time significant improvements were made to the Liquor Code. With the development of the new Hollywood Casino, we are now able to finalize this Entertainment District to encompass the entirety of the Casino property.
Staff conducted the standard comparative review of casino properties in Illinois, revealing the need for updates to our Liquor Code to properly license the Casino property and contribute to the maintenance of a safe and regulated environment while trying not to increase the administrative burden on staff.
DISCUSSION:
Sec 6-2 of the Liquor Code would be updated to reflect the Casino Strolling Endorsement to allow strolling in the "indoor or contained area on the casino property." Strolling under Chapter 6 is not a new concept. The City currently has a strolling endorsement solely for the Fox Valley Mall Entertainment District. This endorsement is slightly similar but is limited to the casino with strolling rules similar to casino facilities in other states that have restaurants, spas and the gaming floor located in one building.
Casino Barbershop, Salon or Spa Alcohol Servic...
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