The City of Aurora has launched a public naming contest for four baby falcons who hatched while under the wings of their mother on the side of a downtown building.
In early April, a falcon named Vixen began nesting in a crevice on the second floor of the exterior of City Hall. At five years old, she was fledged from a nest in Minneapolis, and met an adult male peregrine named Dave, who was fledged from a nest in Chicago in 2020. Vixen would go on to lay four eggs, with two of them hatching on Friday, May 1, and two others hatching on Monday, May 4.
The City is now inviting the public to name the four falcon babies, with nominations now open at https://yourvoice.aurora.il.us/babyfalcons. Entries will be accepted through Monday, May 11. The top 10 submissions will be voted on by the public, with the top four vote-getters serving as the new names of the baby falcons!
A live, 24-hour Falcon Cam is also now available, allowing residents to view the baby falcons grow up!
Watch The LIVE Falcon Cam Now!
Next Week: 2026 Special Census Job Fair!
2026 Special Census Job Fair
Join the City of Aurora on Thursday, May 14, at the Aurora Public Library District - Santori Branch, located at 101 S. River Street, for a Special Census Job Fair!
From 1 P.M. to 4 P.M., City staff will be on hand with computers and iPads to help you fill out your application to work for the 2026 Aurora Special Census! Please be sure to bring your resume and phone, plus have access to your email account.
Aurora's Special Census Initiative has returned, as the City pursues a count of its population held outside of the normal census. During the 2020 Census, it was reported that the City of Aurora lost approximately 17,000 people. The reported loss in population has led to the City losing over $4.3 million per year in revenue.
The City will be conducting a new construction count, which counts specific areas throughout Aurora that have recently been built and are now occupied! Through this new count, the City expects to increase its population total, and help fund key day-to-day operations and services provided to residents.
Currently, the U.S. Census Bureau is hiring Field Supervisors, Field Representatives, and Office Clerks to assist in completing the Aurora Special Census, with pay ranging from $21-$24.50, plus excellent benefits! Jobs are open to U.S. Citizens only.
The 2026 Aurora Special Census is tentatively scheduled to take place in late Summer!
Submit Your Job Application Today!
2026 Aurora GreenFest Brings Crowds To Downtown Aurora!
2026 Aurora GreenFest in Downtown Aurora!
2026 Aurora GreenFest was a huge success!
Over 100 exhibitors were on hand this past Saturday at 18 W. Benton Street, and were joined by live music, food trucks, and electric car show, and so much more.
The event, coordinated in partnership with the Mayor’s Sustainable Aurora Advisory Board and Aurora GreenLights, an affiliate of The Conservation Foundation, helped festival goers learn more about energy efficiency and saving the planet!
Watch The Full Recap Video!
This Saturday: First Ward Clean Up Event!
Ward 1 Clean Up
Join Ward 1 Alderman Dan Barreiro on Saturday, May 9, from 8 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the Spring Street Commuter Parking Lot (N. Lincoln Ave. and Spring St.) for the annual Ward 1 Neighborhood Clean-up!
Trash compactors will be on-site to collect the following acceptable items: building materials, empty or dried out paint cans, discarded furniture, household appliances, carpets and pads, grills, wood, metal, old toys and bicycles, and mattresses.
S&S metal recyclers will also be on-site to collect items such as aluminum, auto batteries, radiators, brass, copper, insulated wire, and steel!
This event is limited to Ward 1 residents! Join Alderman Barreiro to get started on your spring cleaning!
"How To Do Business With The City of Aurora" Workshop Returns May 21!
How to Do Business Workshop
Hosted by the City's Purchasing Division, "How To Do Business With The City of Aurora" is a popular workshop that welcomes business owners who are looking to expand their reach into government contracting.
Attendees will receive an overview of the City’s procurement and bidding process, how to become a registered vendor with the City, plus learn about available business resources.
The workshop is set to take place on Thursday, May 21 at 3 P.M. at City Hall, located at 44 E. Downer Place, Second Floor Council Chambers.
Secure Your Spot Today!
29th Annual Aurora Gardeners' Plant Sale Comes May 16!
Plant Sale Flyer
Mark your calendars for the Aurora Gardeners’ 29th Annual Plant Sale!
Over 40 vendors will be on site on Saturday, May 16. Join the Fox Valley Garden Club from 8 A.M. to 12 P.M. to shop perennials, hosta, native planets, garden art, and more! Food trucks and so much more will also be on site.
Visit www.foxvalleygardenclub.com to learn more!
"Re-Imagined: The Art of Sustainability" Debuts at Aurora Public Art!
Public Art Opening Exhibit
Thank you to everyone who attended Aurora Public Art's opening reception of "Re-Imagined: The Art of Sustainability!"
The exhibit highlights the intersection of creativity and environmental stewardship. From East Aurora School District’s Early Childhood Center preschool students to professional sculptors, participants will showcase pieces composed of at least 75 percent recycled or repurposed materials, ranging from ocean plastics and scrap metal to upcycled textiles.
The new exhibit will run through Saturday, May 23. Stop into Aurora Public Art between 12 P.M. to 4 P.M. on Wednesday through Friday, and from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. on Saturday to check it out!
Aurora Public Art Reception
Aurora Water Main Flushing Program Begins
Water Main Flushing Map
The 2026 Water Main Flushing Program began on Tuesday, May 5. Water main flushing will occur on weekdays between 7 A.M. and 6 P.M., from May through June and September through October, to remove sediment that may have accumulated in pipes.
Watch for signs alerting the public of flushing in your area!
Please wash clothes before 7 A.M. or after 6 P.M. while flushing is occurring in your neighborhood. If you see rusty water, discontinue water use and turn on cold water faucets, such as an outside spigot or bathtub, until the water clears in a few minutes. If your clothes become discolored in the laundry, do not dry them and call 311 for a free bottle of liquid laundry aide to help remove stains.
More details, including a breakdown of the subareas pictured, can be found at www.aurora.il.us/WaterMainFlushing.
Water Main Flushing Program Details
Tomorrow: "Night at the Museum" Workshop at G.A.R. Military Museum Honors Local Veterans
Night at the Museum Workshop
Spend a Night at the Museum tomorrow, May 9, from 3 P.M. to 4:30 P.M., at the Aurora G.A.R.!
Professor of History, Dr. Gerald Butters, will explore the common types of monuments erected to honor local veterans of the American Civil War – from obelisks to halls, these monuments stand in memory of those who fought for the Union and to end the institution of slavery.
Snacks and refreshments will be served! Admission is free, but online registration is encouraged.
Register Today!
Stay Informed at TextAurora.com
Text Aurora
Subscribe to Aurora’s text alert service!
Stay up to date on all things taking place within the City of Aurora by signing up for the City’s new text alert service!
You can receive alerts about events, warming shelter notifications, snow operations, and much more.
Sign Up Today at TextAurora.com!
Next Friday: 2026 Spring Food Truck Fest!
Spring Food Truck Fest is right around the corner! Check out this year’s lineup and prepare your appetite for a night of good, Aurora eats!
See you on Friday, May 15 from 5 P.M. to 9 P.M. in downtown Aurora!
Food Truck Fest Lineup
Congresswoman Underwood and Congressman Foster Deliver Nearly $1.1 Million In Federal Funds To Aurora!
Rep. Underwood, Congressman Foster Visit
At Tuesday night's Committee of the Whole meeting, Mayor John Laesch welcomed Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and Congressman Bill Foster, who brought nearly $1.1 million in federal funds to the City of Aurora, supporting the continued removal and replacement of lead service water lines.
Totaling $1,092,000, the funding was part of the “Lead-Free Water Project” and will be used to replace an estimated 120 lead service lines in Aurora, affecting nearly 400 residents. Since 2018, the City has replaced 3,290 lead service lines throughout the community, with additional lines scheduled for replacement in the coming years.
“This is a high priority for our administration,” Mayor John Laesch said. “We are very grateful for this support, and it will help us continue to make great progress on our lead service line replacement program.”
Currently, the City replaces three percent of lead service lines annually, meeting the requirements from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. These additional federal funds are set to amplify the City’s replacement program, contributing to higher water quality for affected residents.
“The biggest thing that we can do, which Lauren and I have been working on, is to get all the money necessary to eliminate any danger and get the lead out of the pipes,” Congressman Foster added. “We are going to be back at this, every chance we get.”
Loaves & Fishes Breaks Ground On New Hub 2.0 In Aurora!
Loaves & Fishes Breaks Ground On Hub 2.0!
Congratulations to Loaves & Fishes for breaking ground on Hub 2.0 in Aurora on Wednesday afternoon!
Hub 2.0 is expected to expand Loaves & Fishes' current Hub facility, serving two to three times more neighbors, while strengthening food distribution capacity, and scaling collaboration with partner food pantries and nonprofits through shared resources.
The new Hub 2.0 will also feature an expanded dock and logistics capacity to move food faster across the region, along with significant increases in cold storage and dry storage space on-site!
Learn More About Hub 2.0!
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