11 Ward 1 Residents Apply For Open Aurora Aldermanic Seat

AURORA, IL — Eleven residents are vying to serve as the next Ward 1 alderman in Aurora, city officials said Monday evening.

Alderman Emmanuel Llamas, who served Ward 1 for five years, announced July 2 he would step down, effective Aug. 1, to care for his father, who has stage 4 stomach cancer, Patch reported.

Due to Llamas's resignation, Mayor Richard Irvin must appoint a new alderman to serve until the next general election in April 2025.

RELATED: Aurora Alderman Emmanuel Llamas Steps Down

The group consists of nine men and two women, with nine applicants living in the ward's 60505 ZIP code and two in 60502.

Here's a look at the candidates:

• Steve Banks, neighborhood group leader
• Dan Barreiro, school board member and retired city executive
• Tina Bohman, former Ward 1 alderwoman and retired City of Aurora staffer
• Donnell Collins, retired photojournalist and educator
• Jeffrey Donelson, senior pastor and Army veteran
• David Givens, financial services professional
• Ray Hull, retired city executive and former school board member
• John Kunkel, retired sales executive
• Guadalupe Magana, customer service professional
• Hector Martinez, construction superintendent and Army National Guard veteran
• Hugo Saltijeral, nonprofit executive

The candidates all interviewed with Irvin, who is expected to announce the finalists in the coming days. Irvin will present his recommendation to the Aurora City Council at the next Committee of the Whole meeting starting at 4 p.m. Aug. 6.