Richard Irvin Won't Attend Voters Forum, Criticizes Event's Format

AURORA, IL — Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin won't be in attendance at an upcoming League of Women Voters forum due to scheduling reasons, he wrote in a letter, in which he called the organization's forum model "fundamentally flawed."

The League of Women Voters Aurora Area will host a forum Feb. 6 for the six candidates running for Aurora mayor. Irvin is the only one who declined the invitation, according to a report from the Daily Herald.

The forum will take place from 7-9 p.m. at the Aurora Police Department, 1200 E. Indian Trail Road.

On Tuesday morning, Irvin shared a letter on Facebook to "clear up the misguided chatter" regarding his absence at the event.

"The truth is simple; my schedule was confirmed weeks in advance, with commitments I must honor out of respect for the individuals and organizations that rely on me to keep my word," he wrote.

Irvin added that the organization chose the date without consulting his availability and couldn't accommodate his request for an alternative date so he could participate.

"I respect their decision, just as I hope they understand my commitment to honoring my obligations," he wrote. "Leadership requires accountability, and that means keeping your word."

After addressing his absence, the mayor continued to say the LWV's model for candidates to discuss their platforms in front of voters is flawed as it "allows candidates to make unchecked claims, spout empty promises, and evade real accountability." He added that his leadership is based on "results, not rhetoric" and challenged his opponents to "step up and explain how they plan to outperform the Irvin administration."

Read his entire letter on Facebook.

Irvin also said he will join "an actual 'debate'" hosted by the Fox Valley Realtors Association and their affiliates and will host weekly Facebook Live sessions starting Jan. 29 to address voters' questions directly.