NEWS RELEASE
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Contact:
Mayor's Office of Communications
630-256-3010
MyAurora@aurora-il.org
CITY OF AURORA
Richard C. Irvin
Mayor
Aurora Closes Parks, Calls Off Parking Tickets and Allows Packaged Liquor Sales
AURORA, IL - In the ongoing effort to provide guidance, support, relief and preventative compliance during the constantly-evolving COVID-19 crisis, Mayor Richard C. Irvin has enacted a number of additional measures for the City of Aurora.

Mayor Irvin held a media briefing on at noon on March 20, prior to the Governor Pritzker’s 3 p.m. press conference the same day, where he announced the following:

  • The City of Aurora is suspending all parking tickets throughout the City, including in the downtown and at the transportation centers on Route 25 and Route 59. Parking officials will not ticket for parking violations through the end of April. However, vehicles parked in illegal and unsafe manners will still be referred to the Aurora Police Department. Previously ticketed vehicles must still comply.

  • The City of Aurora is suspending the licenses for all peddlers and solicitors through the end of April. Under this provision, no one is permitted by the City of Aurora to visit homes to solicit for anything or to offer any goods and services. This is an attempt to reinforce social distancing, but also to limit the opportunities for scammers and those who are taking advantage of an unfortunate situation. 

  • To help provide economic relief to restaurants, Mayor Irvin issued an executive order to allow packaged liquors sales at establishments that already have an approved Class B, E, F, H, J and K liquor license. The order allows these restaurants to now sale packaged beer or wine with at least $10 in food orders for take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery. All other rules apply. The aforementioned license holders have been communicated with, and they will share specific ordering options with patrons. Mayor Irvin encouraged residents to continue to support restaurants during the dine-in closure period through the City’s new #CurbsideAurora list at www.aurora-il.org/restaurants.

Later in the day, on Friday, March 20, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-10 requiring all Illinoisans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 beginning today at 5 p.m. through April 7. The order prohibits things like visiting the homes of friends and holding gatherings of any size and closes all nonessential establishments, including most retail, recreation and entertainment businesses. It does NOT prohibit essential activities like going to the grocery store, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk.

  • Mayor Irvin expressed his full support of the order and encourage all Aurorans to comply in a statement issued shortly after the announcement. Read the mayor’s full statement here and find more information, including FAQ’s about the order, here.

  • To further comply with the order, Mayor Irvin is closing all City of Aurora parks and playgrounds through April 7 or as long as the Governor’s order is in place.

As the City continues to prepare and plan throughout this weekend, the mayor will provide more information at media briefings, which will be livestreamed on Facebook and the City’s website, next week.  A media briefing will not be held today, Saturday, March 21.

Regular updates will posted at www.aurora-il.org/health and on the City’s social media channels.