Aurora Mayor Refuses To Lower Flags For Kirk Slaying

AURORA, IL — Aurora Mayor John Laesch chose not to fly flags at half-staff through the weekend, despite orders from President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, according to reports.

The city’s flags were lowered in memory of 9/11 but restored the following day, while the president and governor ordered flags to be kept at half-staff through the weekend to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk and victims of political violence, respectively, FOX 32 reported.

“I recognize that some employees and community members may not agree with this decision, but lowering the flag is a solemn act that carries great weight,” Laesch told FOX 32 in a statement. “The choice to do so should not be made cavalierly. Doing so diminishes the importance of the remembrance of tragedies like September 11, 2001."

But in spite of the mayor’s wishes, some flags were lowered over the weekend in Aurora — by Aurora Township Republicans Chairman Danny Souri, who brought the flags at city hall and the police station to half-staff, the Daily Herald reported.

On Monday, the city announced it would lower flags in memory of former Gov. Jim Edgar, who died Sunday, per a notice from Pritzker.