Aurora City Council approves new ACCA board, announces July 4 events and community updates
June 26—The Aurora City Council has approved four new appointments and two reappointments to the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) Board, forming what city officials describe as the most diverse and strategically skilled board in the organization's history. Mayor John Laesch said the appointments align with his strategic priorities for the board, including diversifying content to reflect Aurora’s cultural fabric and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability for ACCA.
The new board members are Juan Sifuentes, Chairman of the East Aurora School District 131 Board; Diane Lantz, former Executive Director of the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association; Nastasha Prunty, President of Gospel Morale and Entertainment; and Christopher Childress, co-founder of Progressive Energy Group and former President of Nicor Gas Services. Jonathan Hylton, Principal of Clear Perspective Advisors, LLC, and Gina Moga, former City of Aurora Special Events Manager, were reappointed. “Our objective with each of these appointments was to provide continuity between seasoned, experienced members of the Board, along with new voices who will better represent the demographics of Aurora. With these appointments now in place, our goal will be to continue to build on the excellent performances offered by the Paramount Theatre, Stolp Island Theatre, RiverEdge Park, and Copley Theatre, while expanding our entertainment portfolio to meet the interests of one of the most diverse cities in the State of Illinois,” Mayor Laesch said. He also thanked previous board members for their volunteer service, saying, “The previous Board worked diligently and helped build a solid foundation for the future Board to continue building on. I am greatly appreciative of their time, efforts, and resources to support the Aurora Civic Center Authority.”
The city also announced its Independence Day festivities, with fireworks scheduled for Friday, July 3, from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at RiverEdge Park and McCullough Park. The 6050s, a local band, will perform at RiverEdge Park, and DJ Pena will play at McCullough Park. Food trucks will be available, and five free park-and-ride shuttles will operate between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. The fireworks display is set to begin at dusk, around 9:15 p.m.
The Fourth of July Parade will take place on Saturday, July 4, starting at 10 a.m. at Benton Street and Broadway Avenue. Juanita Wells will serve as this year’s Grand Marshal. Free parking is available downtown, and the Grand Army of the Republic Military Museum will open a new exhibit, “America’s 250th: How the G.A.R. Shaped Our Nation,” immediately following the parade. The exhibit will explore the influence of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Civil War veteran society formed in Decatur, Illinois, in 1866, and will feature historic photographs and artifacts from the museum’s collection.
The city reminded residents that the use or possession of fireworks is prohibited under City Code Sec. 29-30, with fines up to $1,000 and additional penalties for property owners. Illegal fireworks can be reported by calling 311, online at myaurora311.com, or by calling 911 if there is a safety threat. More information is available on the city’s website.
Other community updates include a public vote to name a new baby elk born at Phillips Park Zoo, the declaration of Illinois Tejano Week, a job fair hosted by Minutemen Staffing, a special census job fair, and an upcoming gala by the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board. Mayor Laesch also recognized Aurora Central Catholic High School’s track and field team for recent state championship victories, stating, “Each athlete’s exceptional talent and hard work have truly made Aurora proud.”