Aurora Alderman Emmanuel Llamas Steps Down

AURORA, IL — Aurora Alderman Emmanuel Llamas announced Tuesday he would be stepping down from City Council.

During a media briefing Tuesday afternoon, the Ward 1 representative said he will resign, effective Aug. 1, to care for his father, who has stage 4 stomach cancer. Llamas is his father's primary caregiver.

"When I look at the foreseeable future and what is best for my family, it is clear that something has to give and be sacrificed," Llamas said.

Llamas has served Ward 1 since 2019 and is currently in his second term. He is one of two Latinos serving on the Aurora City Council and the city's youngest elected official.

Llamas is also the father of two young girls, ages 3 and 5, and owns a law practice, Llamas St. Jules LLP.

"I have been proud to serve as an alderman for the past five years and planned to serve my second term and beyond," he said. "But life has presented me with a different capacity in which I must be of greater service to my father and my family."

Mayor Richard Irvin thanked Llamas for his service and said he would begin the process of filling the soon-t0-be-vacant seat until the general election in April 2025.

"It is my responsibility as mayor to make sure there is no interruption in service to our community," Irvin said.

From July 3-13, the city will accept applications from Ward 1 residents who are interested in replacing Llamas. They must be at least 18 years old, a registered voter in Ward 1 and a resident of the area for at least one year. Applications can be found on the city's website.

The mayor expects a successor to be named after Llamas steps down.