Laesch has said he wants to lower debt in the city; invest in green energy; and improve street lights, curbs and water lines.

Next Tuesday, voters in Aurora, Illinois, will decide who will lead the state's second-largest city for the next four years.

John Laesch wins the Aurora mayoral race, defeating incumbent Richard Irvin with 52.32% of the vote, promising city unity and sustainable infrastructure investment.

A mayoral race rematch is taking place Tuesday in Aurora. Incumbent Mayor Richard Irvin aims to maintain his seat for a third term by besting area Alderman Josh Laesch, whom Irvin defeated in 2021.

Richard Irvin is out as mayor of Aurora, losing his re-election bid Tuesday to at-large Ald. John Laesch in the western suburb’s runoff election. Irvin conceded late Tuesday, ending his run as ...

Incumbent Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin admitted defeat Tuesday night to his challenger, Ald. John Laesch, in the Aurora mayoral election. As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Laesch had 52.32% of the vote ...

Aurora has officially launched a new program that is set to one day give all of the city’s kindergarten students an education savings account with a starting contribution from the city. The program, ...

After making history in 2017 as Aurora’s first Black mayor and cruising to reelection four years ago, Richard Irvin now faces a political challenge partly of his own making as he seeks a third ...

Richard Irvin "Rick" Buhite, 80, of Grants, NM, formerly of Erie, passed away at home on April 1, 2025, with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Kimberly, by his side. Rick was born on October 5 ...

Irvin, who was first elected as mayor in 2017, garnered 47.5% of the vote to Laesch’s 52.5%, according to the unofficial ...

Irvin has been the western suburb's mayor since 2017. During the runoff campaign, Laesch received strong support from key Illinois Democrats, including former Gov. Pat Quinn.