Aurora Mayor Vows To Support Community Events, Cut Back On Flag Raising After Juneteenth Controversy

AURORA, IL — Aurora Mayor John Laesch vowed to serve Aurora residents "with respect, equity, and inclusivity" in a statement following controversy stemming from a canceled Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony.

In a statement published at 3 p.m. Monday on Facebook, the mayor wrote that he found himself embroiled in controversy — "in part ... caused by my own doing" — due to the way he and his team "made a misstep" in implementing Aurora's new flag raising policy, canceling the Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony that had been formally scheduled.

Previously, city-run flag-raising ceremonies were paid for with taxpayer funds, Laesch explained. His goal, he wrote, is to be "a good steward of taxpayer money" and serve all Aurora residents, so as a result, he decided the city would scale back on flag raisings.

"I should have personally reached out to those who've participated [in the Juneteenth flag raising]in past years," the mayor wrote. "I'm making those calls now—not just to apologize, but to listen and learn."

In the end, the city decided to still raise the Juneteenth flag on the evening of June 18, the day before the observed holiday.

Moving forward, Laesch said community groups who want to raise flags in front of City Hall should notify staff in advance to "work together to ensure these moments are grounded in collaboration, not confusion."

"My objective is to still honor the diverse cultural heritage that makes up this City, yet do so in a community-minded, fiscally responsible manner," he wrote. "... During my campaign, I made a commitment to shift our City government’s focus away from performative ceremonies and toward meaningful engagement. I spoke openly about prioritizing substance over symbolism, particularly when past administrations used City resources to stage PR moments without community input or impact."

The mayor cited a 2023 decision to wrap an Aurora Police Department squad car in Juneteenth imagery, calling it "tone-deaf rather than empowering."

RELATED: APD Squad Car Wrapped For Juneteenth Is 'More Than Symbolic,' Irvin Says

During his tenure as mayor, Laesch said he plans to support community events, such as the 24th annual Juneteenth event by the African American Men of Unity, rather than flag raisings, saying, "Events like that represent the kind of authentic, people-powered celebration that brings our City together."

"By championing our community and its input first, each cultural festivity, holiday, or event will ensure that the day itself, and its historical significance, is what matters most, not any administration or politician," he said.