Richard Irvin was born on the east side of Aurora.  His mother faced the daunting task of raising two children on her own in low income housing.  Although she often could not provide her family with all the material things she would have desired, she provided her children with something of more permanent value: a grounded sense of personal responsibility.

Richard, with the firm, loving guidance of his family, was able to thrive despite the adverse circumstances of his environment.  This solid foundation enabled him to navigate through the ever present temptations and threats of gangs, drugs, and violence that consume so many of our young people.  He focused on his school work and found an outlet for his adolescent energy in competitive sports.

After graduating from East Aurora High School, he joined the United States Army. This decision to dedicate himself to service has been a constant in his life. He volunteered and served in combat in the first Gulf War, fighting to repel Saddam Hussein’s aggression against Kuwait.  Returning as a decorated veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Richard threw himself with equal dedication into his studies at Robert Morris College here in Aurora, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

After obtaining a Juris Doctor degree at Northern Illinois University, Richard began his legal career, again keeping his focus on public service. After interning at the Aurora firm of Camic, Johnson, Wilson and McCullough, he worked for a time in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, but soon returned home to the Kane County State's Attorney's Office and Aurora. He was the Aurora Community Prosecutor and the founder of the Weed and Seed Program. This position utilized and developed Richard's skills working to improve the community through positive interactions between citizens and their government.

Soon Richard's skills and reputation had developed sufficiently to enable him to begin his own successful law firm in Aurora, The Law Offices of Richard C. Irvin and Associates. This practice has helped Richard continue his service to the community and to expand his understanding and knowledge. He is a highly respected attorney who, on a daily basis, helps individuals negotiate their interactions with the justice system. He and his associates have helped hundreds of Aurorans in criminal and civil matters of all kinds.

Aside from the practice of law, as founder of his firm, Richard is also a small business owner here in Aurora. He knows first hand the responsibilities of meeting a payroll, paying rent and taxes and generally having responsibilities for other people.

Richard Irvin is a family man with a wife, Crystal, a daughter Devon, and a son, Quinn. Raising a family here has only strengthened Richard's devotion to improving Aurora in any way he can. He has given back to the community by teaching at Robert Morris College and NIU as well as substitute teaching at East High. He has been an instructor at the Institute for Public Safety, has volunteered as a "Big Brother" and sits on various executive boards.
This lifetime of dedication to public service has not gone unnoticed. In 2007, the citizens of Aurora recognized what an asset Richard is and elected him to the city-wide post of Alderman at Large. In this role, Richard represents the interests of, and provides a voice for, all of the citizens of this diverse community. He is serving on the Buildings, Grounds and Infrastructure Committee, which works to build, maintain, and improve the city's physical plant. As a member of the City Council with a city wide constituency, Richard is also vigorously working to build, maintain and improve the less tangible, visible aspects of the city of Aurora.
When Richard says we need not accept that dire circumstances will condemn some of our youth to failure, he is speaking from experience.  When he calls for sacrifice and service for the greater good, his deeds validate his words.  And when he says that hard work and dedication can overcome obstacles and lead to material and emotional success, his point is made more eloquent by his example.