Aurora Officials Push Back On Budget Cut Claims, Say Smallest Cuts Are To Police, Fire In 2026 Budget

AURORA, IL —In a joint statement Monday, Mayor John Laesch, Police Chief Matt Thomas and Fire Chief Dave McCabe responded to residents' concerns about cuts to public safety funding, saying "the idea that Aurora's 2026 budget 'cuts public safety' is simply inaccurate."

All departments across the City of Aurora, "without exception," officials said, face reductions in the proposed budget for 2026 as the city works to "correct a long-standing structural deficit."

The police and fire departments, though, would see the smallest reductions — "far below the 10 to 20 percent reductions that every other City Department faced." The proposed budget for the police department in 2026 is $7.1 million more than it was in 2025, and the fire department's allotment increased by $1.5 million compared to 2025, according to the statement.

Laesch said residents will not see a reduction in the law enforcement services they depend on.

"This year's budget required a tremendous amount of collaboration, shared sacrifice, and honest problem-solving across every Department in the City of Aurora," officials said Monday.

The total budget proposed for 2026 is about $163.6 million less than 2025's. It includes a proposed reduction of about $5 million in general fund spending, from $255.3 million to $249.9 million, but would still leave the city with a $2.5 million deficit, WSPY News reported.

The 2026 proposed budget also called for 139 staffing cuts, including permanent and temporary roles, of which 70 positions were vacant, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.

"The proposed 2026 budget marks a deliberate shift toward living within our means," the city's finance department wrote in the budget docket. "It reflects a disciplined approach to city finances — one that prioritizes core services, rebuilds reserves, and stops the practice of giving away taxpayer dollars through unnecessary subsidies and handouts to million-dollar and billion-dollar corporations. Aurora's future will be shaped by partnership, not patronage, by sustainability, not short-term deals."

Read the full joint statement:

Throughout this year’s budget process, there have been claims that the City of Aurora has chosen to enact significant cuts to public safety. We would like to address these concerns together, and share some additional background information about how the 2026 budget was built.

This year’s budget required a tremendous amount of collaboration, shared sacrifice, and honest problem-solving across every Department in the City of Aurora. As we worked collectively to correct a long-standing structural deficit, every Department—without exception—had to weather some level of reduction. Despite these challenges, we approached this process with a clear and unified priority: to preserve core services and protect public safety.

With the teamwork and cooperation of Police, Fire, and City leadership, both Departments ultimately absorbed the smallest reductions of any Department—far below the 10 to 20 percent reductions that every other City Department faced. These careful decisions ensured that all essential public safety services were maintained, and that residents would continue to receive the strong, reliable emergency response they expect and deserve.

Despite the financial constraints Aurora faces, the 2026 Police Department’s budget is $7.1 million more than it was in 2025. The 2026 Fire Department’s budget is $1.5 million more than it was in 2025.

Mayor John Laesch emphasized the City’s commitment to transparency and safety, stating:

"Our residents will not see a reduction in the services they depend on. Response times, emergency services, and fire protection remain fully secured. Correcting our financial course is difficult, but we are doing it in a responsible manner that does not compromise safety."

Fire Chief Dave McCabe reaffirmed the Department’s stability and readiness:

"The Aurora Fire Department will continue to deliver the level of service our community expects and deserves. While we worked through necessary reductions, we were deliberate in protecting our emergency response capabilities and maintaining the operational readiness our residents rely on every day. I’m continuously inspired by the dedication of the men and women of this Department, and our community should feel confident that fire protection and emergency response remain our highest priorities."

Police Chief Matt Thomas also addressed the public concerns directly:

"I want the public to hear this from me directly: the Aurora Police Department is not being gutted. While we did have to make reductions, we made those difficult decisions carefully to preserve our core services and ensure we have the staffing and resources necessary to keep our community safe. I’m proud of the work our officers and professional staff do every day, and I’m grateful for the continued support we receive from the community. We will continue to staff our patrols, respond quickly to emergencies, and serve the residents of Aurora with professionalism."

Achieving a structurally balanced budget this year has been a substantial effort—one marked by honesty, discipline, collaboration, and shared responsibility across every Department. We extend our gratitude to City staff, Department heads, and Council members who stepped up and worked together in the best interest of the community.

Evidently, the idea that Aurora’s 2026 budget "cuts public safety" is simply inaccurate. In fact, Aurora is correcting course, strengthening its financial foundation, and safeguarding the essential services residents rely upon every single day. Following this collaborative budget process, the City will continue to move forward with clarity, fiscal responsibility, and a firm commitment to the safety and well-being of every resident.

We encourage all residents seeking more information to attend the upcoming Budget Town Hall scheduled for Saturday, November 22, at 11:30 A.M. at the Public Works Facility (2185 Liberty Street, Aurora, IL). Residents will be able to learn more about the 2026 proposed budget, and ask questions directly.