R. Christian Smith

Christian Smith reports on Aurora city government for The Beacon-News. He grew up in Charleston, S.C., and graduated from Winthrop University in 2022. Previously, he has reported for The Citizen Times in Asheville, N.C., and The Morning News in Florence, S.C.

A rendering shows what the Learning Commons set to be built at Aurora University may look like. (SmithGroup)

Aurora University asks for city’s help in taking out debt

July 17, 2025 at 4:16 p.m.

Aurora University is asking the city of Aurora for help in taking out $16 million in tax-free debt to support new construction on campus. Although the debt is being taken...

The Aurora City Council will vote next week to confirm three appointments made by Mayor John Laesch. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

Aurora finance, public works departments to get new leadership

July 17, 2025 at 3:44 p.m.

Aurora Mayor John Laesch is looking to appoint new top leadership in the city's finance and public works departments.

Aurora Mayor John Laesch's administration is proposing that various city divisions be re-organized, along with other similar changes. (City of Aurora)

Aurora City Council to consider reorganization of various city divisions

July 17, 2025 at 6:16 a.m.

The Aurora City Council is set to consider the reorganization of various city divisions, along with other related changes, at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday. The proposal from Mayor John...

Aurora Mayor John Laesch answers a question during the first listening session under his administration, which was focused on downtown. (City of Aurora)

Aurora Mayor John Laesch to hear from community through town hall tour

July 16, 2025 at 6:18 a.m.

Aurora residents will get the chance to give feedback about the city directly to Mayor John Laesch through a series of town halls planned across late July and August. The...

Although Aurora has found high levels of lead in some homes, officials say water coming from the city Water Treatment Plant at 1111 Aurora Ave. is lead free. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Aurora finds high lead levels in drinking water of some homes

July 15, 2025 at 6:26 p.m.

Tap water at over 10% of tested Aurora homes was found to have high levels of lead, according to results released by the city.

People shop at El Paso Mas Grande on Aurora's far West Side after the ribbon cutting on Oct. 9, 2024. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

Aurora considers extending grocery tax that would otherwise expire

July 14, 2025 at 4:06 p.m.

The city of Aurora is considering extending a grocery tax that has been in place statewide for decades but is set to expire at the end of this year. Illinois...

Mercy Medical Center is at 1325 N. Highland Ave. in Aurora. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Mercy Medical Center in Aurora gets high grades from another national group

July 11, 2025 at 4:06 p.m.

The Lown Institute gave Mercy Medical Center an overall "A" on its 2025–26 Hospitals Index, which measures social responsibility through metrics about equity, value and patient outcomes.

Aurora officials say the fireworks show on July 3 was a success even though planning for this year's event was more complicated than usual. (City of Aurora)

Despite planning challenges, officials count Aurora fireworks show a success

July 10, 2025 at 3:58 p.m.

Despite RiverEdge Park being closed for renovation, and the many complications because of that closure, Aurora officials are counting last Friday's fireworks show as a success.

The Aurora City Council has approved a project to renovate a room within the Aurora Police Department headquarters building at 1200 E. Indian Trail to expand the department’s digital forensic program. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council OKs $1 million of facility improvement projects

July 9, 2025 at 4:34 p.m.

Aurora will replace the roofs of two city buildings and expand the police department's digital forensic lab after the projects recently got approval from City Council.

Aurora City Hall is at 44 E. Downer Place in downtown Aurora. The Aurora City Council on Tuesday approved exceptions to residency requirements for some department heads. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

Aurora cuts residency requirement for some city department heads

July 9, 2025 at 3:13 p.m.

Despite concerns from some aldermen, the Aurora City Council has approved new exceptions to a rule that requires leaders of city departments to live within city limits.

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