The Winter Solstice was celebrated in conjunction with World Meditation Day (Dec. 21, 2025). Gurudev with The Art of Living, led a global meditation event from New York. Aurora was one of 133 cities to participate virtually. Winter Solstice was celebrated by Native Americans who first lived here.

Applications are open to replace me on the Aurora City Council. My Alderman-at-Large position will be vacant when I take the office of mayor. Must be 18, and a resident of Aurora for a full year. APPLICATION are due by 12 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025 www.aurora.il.us/AldermanAppointee

I received a last minute invite to attend the Lakewood Neighborhood HOA Easter Egg Hunt! It was beautiful weather and the Easter Bunny made an appearance. There were lots of hugs for the Easter Bunny.

I enjoyed flipping pancakes at the Kiwanis annual fundraiser on the “two of a kind” circulating grills that were custom made for this event. It was a full house and full grill for the two hours that I helped. It wouldn’t have happened without the teamwork and lead organizing by Lucas Albright.

Congrats @johnforaurora.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/04/01/2...

Consider attending the Kiwani’s Club annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, April 12th from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Tickets cost $10/person. The event will be held at Aurora central Catholic High School (1255 N. Edgelawn Dr., Aurora, IL). Purchase tickets here - aurorakiwanis.org/page/kiwanis...

I would like to invite all of our volunteers and "John Laesch affiliates," or members of the "DeFacto political party," or members of the "quasi-political party," to attend our watch party this Tuesday, April 1st at 8:00 PM at Two Brothers Roundhouse (205 N. Broadway, Aurora, IL).

You can help by knocking on doors, working a polling place, or make phone calls. Please contact Charles (708.567.9793 / [email protected]), or come to the office (456 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL): MONDAY 3/31 Office is open 10 am - 7:00 pm TUESDAY 4/1 Office is open 5:00 am - 7:00 pm

“I endorse John Laesch for Mayor of Aurora. John has always followed his principles and lived by his values of taking care of the environment, fighting for social justice, and working toward transparency and accountability in government. John is recommended by the Aurora Twp Democratic Party.”

I interviewed with Paris Schutz yesterday while I was out knocking on doors. During his 2022 campaign, Schutz exposed a long list of pay-to-play schemes in which Irvin campaign donors received millions of taxpayer dollars to subsidize lucrative development deals. www.fox32chicago.com/video/1614973

Please also vote for Keith Larson on or before April 1st.

I want to thank State Senator, Karina Villa for coming out this past weekend to knock doors and shoot a short endorsement video. She has been working hard in Springfield to represent working families. Please make sure to exercise your right to vote on or before April 1st.

Please join us this weekend to talk to voters at their doors – if we walk, we win! The office located at 456 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL 60506, will be open from 10 AM – 7:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Stop on by! To RSVP please contact Charles at 708.567.9793 / [email protected]

Students at Waubonsee Valley High School interviewed both candidates who are running for mayor of Aurora. I think they did a great job - check it out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOxA...

I want to congratulate Ken Schroth on his retirement. As the next Mayor of Aurora I will miss working with our City Engineer and Director of Public Works, Ken Schroth who has always maintained a high-level of professionalism and run an efficient department. He will be retiring to Florida.

We need your help! Please join us this weekend at our new office 456 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL to reach voters at their doors. Saturday, MARCH 15TH Shift 1: 10:00am Shift 2: 1:00pm Shift 3: 3:00 pm Saturday, MARCH 16TH Shift 3: 3:00 pm

"I am endorsing John Laesch for Mayor of Aurora because I trust him to do right by Aurora's working families. John is leading a people powered grassroots movement and standing up against entrenched and corrupt politicians and special interests. John is committed to making housing and (see comment)

I want to thank Karina Garcia for endorsing our people-powered campaign for Mayor of Aurora, and demonstrating leadership in this race. Our campaigns focused on similar issues during the forums and I will work with her as our next mayor. #aurorastrongertogether

I want to thank my friend, Saul Olivas, for his endorsement. “I'm honored to endorse John Laesch for Mayor of Aurora, a dedicated community leader I've had the privilege of knowing since 2003, and I firmly believe his unwavering honesty makes him the ideal candidate for Mayor of Aurora.”

Proud to sign the "No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge" as part of the Lead Locally endorsement process. #NoFossilFuelMoney

This is The League of Women Voters Aurora Area (LWVAA) mayoral candidate forum between John Laesch and Richard Irvin will be held on Monday, March 10th at 7:00 PM at the Santori library (101 S. River St., Aurora, IL). The event will be livestreamed and in-person. This graphic is LWVAA's.

It is an honor to earn Dawn DeSart's endorsement: “John Laesch has been a leader in the United States Navy, in our community, and in public office. His experience on the East Aurora School Board and the Aurora City Council have prepared him to serve as our city’s mayor and keep us moving forward.”

Come Walk with us this weekend at (456 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL). Please RSVP ([email protected] / 708.567.9793) for canvassing shifts below: SATURDAY, MAR 8th Shift 1 – 10:00 AM Shift 2 – 1:00 PM Shift 3 – 3:00 PM SUNDAY, MAR 9th Shift 1 – 10:00 AM Shift 2 – 1:00 PM Shift 3 – 3:00 PM

I want to thank Working Families Will County for your endorsement! I will continue to be a strong voice for working people.

Ramadan Mubarak to all those who celebrate.

We have 32 days! Our weekend walk schedule below. Materials, food and any training you may need will be provided. RSVP - [email protected] / 630.878.7454 Saturday, March 1st Canvassing 10am Canvassing 1pm Canvassing 3pm Sunday, March 2nd Canvassing 10am Canvassing 1pm Canvassing 3pm

I want to thank the residents of Aurora for sending a strong message to the current administration that we need a government and economy that works for everyone, not just the political insiders and donors. A huge thanks to all of the volunteers who made this happen! #aurorastrongertogether

Less than 4% of the city has voted, meaning that your vote will make a difference in a close race for mayor. Vote John Laesch on Feb. 25th! Polling places – bit.ly/EDPolling I would like to invite people to our watch party at Torresmania (3 S. Lincoln Ave., Aurora, IL) tonight after 7:30 PM.

Only 4% of the City of Aurora's voting population has voted. We could use help getting another 3,000 voters to the polls. Please call/text to help us out - 630.878.7454 Vote John Laesch on Feb. 25th Early Voting polling places – bit.ly/EVPolling Election Day polling places – bit.ly/EDPolling

My friend, Simeon Kekula came to the United States on a Lottery Visa and became an Ebola Refuge from my country where I was born, Liberia, West Africa. Be like Simeon - Vote Early! Early Voting polling places – bit.ly/EVPolling Election Day polling places – bit.ly/EDPolling

Thanks for your support Vincent Gaddis! Now, let's get friends and family out to vote!

A campaign supporter put this event together for people who have not yet had an opportunity to meet, interact and ask questions. I will stay as long as people keep asking questions. I'm happy to attend any last-minute house parties, gatherings or frigid backyard snow shoveling events.

I have always made members of the political establishment of both major political parties nervous because of the three words that Rena Church uses to describe me. We have a broken political system. We fix it by electing people who do not take donations from those seeking to buy influence.

I wanted to thank Coalition Activate for their endorsement and support in this hotly contested race for Aurora Mayor. will continue to strive to be a voice for all of Aurora’s diverse populations who do not feel represented by their current mayor.

With only 7 days before the Feb. 25th Primary Election fewer than 3,000 people have cast a vote. Early voting polling places are open until 7:00 PM tonight in both Kane and DuPage County. Please make sure to exercise your right to vote! #AuroraStrongerTogether

THREE WORDS: A good friend of mine used his video skills to capture some of what people who are volunteering for our campaign had to say, in three words, as to why they were supporting this people-powered campaign. It has been humbling to hear these. #StrongerTogetherAurora

With 8 days before the election, I’m honored to receive the endorsement of one of my opponents, Jazmine Garcia, who has run a very exciting campaign focused on engaging younger voters. Kane County will have their early voting location at 5 E. Downer Pl., Aurora, IL open until 7:00 PM.

The College Democrats at UIC are proud to endorse @johnforaurora in his bid for Mayor of Aurora! As a community activist and alderman, John has proven his commitment to his fellow citizens and is the right choice to defeat incumbent Richard Irvin. #collegedemocrats #uic

I want to thank Jack Py for bringing me on his podcast, The Origin. It is a 21-minute interview. I am very impressed with this young political activist for asking good questions and putting together a very professional show. Check it out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQj1...

I want to recognize an Aurora activist, Arlisia Dockery, who was honored before the Kane County Board this week when the board read a proclamation honoring Black History Month. Another well-recognized member of the community, Thank you Arlisia for all you do to serve our community #BlackHistoryMonth

We have two weekends to knock on doors, and we need your help! Come join us to volunteer for a few hours in Aurora Illinois! All canvasses leave 710 S. 4th St., Aurora, IL and new walkers will be paired with someone experienced. RSVP or questions – [email protected] / 630.878.7454

I want to thank the Citizens of Matea for putting together an excellent candidate forum this evening. All six mayoral candidates attended the forum to briefly introduce themselves and then to answer three questions. The forum was very civil.

I want to thank the League of Women Voters Aurora Area for holding a professional and well-regulated candidate forum this past Thurs. It was a full room of Aurora residents who wanted to find out who they would vote for, and the candidates who are not planning a run for statewide office showed up.

Things are moving fast! If you have not yet voted, please go vote early or remember to turn in your Mail-in Ballot! For those wondering why Kendall County is not included in this countdown, the Kendall Clerk's office is not quite set up to send daily ballot updates.

Why I voted against a $3M taxpayer-funded “merger" deal: 1) Every chamber should be member-funded and independent 2) The Downtown SSA should continue to serve the goals of SSA. 3) No transparency or oversight 4) There was no business plan 5) Our economic development department could do this

Please DM me if you have experienced any of these things happening to you. We have received numerous reports of Irvin signs showing up on properties of people who did not request them. They have lied to voters about Irvin’s party affiliation and numerous John Laesch signs have been stolen.

Instead of birthday gifts I am asking for help canvassing with just 3 weeks before the election! Call/txt to RSVP - 630.465.5881 / [email protected] SATURDAY,FEB 1st Shift 1 – 10:00 AM Shift 2 – 1:00 PM Shift 3 – 3:00 PM SUNDAY, FEB 2nd Shift 1 – 10:00 AM Shift 2 – 1:00 PM Shift 3 – 3:00 PM

This weekend was brutally cold, and I can’t offer enough gratitude to those who bundled up in subzero temps to get our message to Aurora voters. We filled more than 45 canvassing shifts and, new people I didn’t even know showed up to knock on doors for the very first time. #AuroraStrongerTogether