One Aurora - Richard Irvin for Mayor 2009

Mayoral Candidate Richard Irvin Unveils Economic Plan For Immediate Release - March 17, 2009 Contact: Christopher Hage Cell - (630) 430-7822 Office - (639) 908-2923 christopherhage@yahoo.com *Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin – “My Economic Blueprint for Aurora will create jobs, cut taxes, eliminate wasteful spending, and grow our economy.”* (Aurora, IL) – Today Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin, candidate for Mayor of Aurora, unveiled his economic plan. “My Economic Blueprint for Aurora will create jobs, cut taxes, eliminate wasteful spending, and grow our economy,” said Irvin. “Unlike the current Mayor I don’t believe that all businesses fail because they deserve to. As a small business owner myself, I understand that often high taxes, overly-burdensome bureaucratic red tape, and other government obstacles can prevent good businesses from succeeding.” “Creating new, good-paying jobs should be the over-arching goal of any long term economic plan,” continued Irvin. “To create new jobs for Aurora we need to attract existing businesses to move to Aurora, assist businesses currently in Aurora to help them succeed and we need to encourage new businesses to choose Aurora as their home.” “My Economic Blueprint for Aurora focuses on cutting taxes to create a pro-growth climate; re-invigorating downtown Aurora; emphasizing local preference in city contracting; and recognizing the importance of a high-quality education in workforce development,” said Irvin. “By cutting taxes we can create a pro-growth climate that will work to create new jobs and increase revenues to the city by expanding our tax base,” continued Irvin. “I will repeal the Weisner tax increases – it is simply unfair that Aurorans are asked to pay nearly three times as much in property taxes as our neighbors in Naperville.” “Downtown revitalization is a key component of my Economic Blueprint,” said Irvin. “We must do everything we can to make downtown Aurora an attractive place to open a business. I will institute a temporary sales tax moratorium for downtown businesses to jump-start our efforts to revitalize downtown Aurora.” “Aurora tax dollars should be used to create more jobs for Aurorans, which is why I will create a local preference program in city contracting,” continued Irvin. “Whenever possible we should work to ensure that city contracts are given to Aurora employers and should incentivize the use of local sub-contractors.” “Finally, no plan for Aurora’s economic future would be complete without a fundamental commitment to education. High-quality education is the key to workforce development,” said Irvin. “I will explore magnet and charter schools, work with our local community colleges and universities to pair employers with qualified employees, and aggressively lobby the state to ensure that their share of education funding is paid in full and on time.” “I believe in Aurora and its potential because I believe in the people of Aurora. Now is the time for our city government to stop being an obstacle to success and to start being a partner in securing Aurora’s future. When I am Mayor, I will work day and night to grow our economy and create jobs,” concluded Irvin.

Aurora Police Union Endorses Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin for Mayor For Immediate Release - March 11, 2009 Contact: Christopher Hage Cell - (630) 430-7822 Office - (639) 908-2923 christopherhage@yahoo.com Richard Irvin – “As a former prosecuter, I have a unique appreciation for the work done by our brave men and women serving in law enforcement. I am grateful, and humbled, by their endorsement for my candidacy for Mayor.” (Aurora, IL) – Today, the campaign of Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin, candidate for Mayor of Aurora, announced the endorsement of the Association of Professional Police Officers, the Aurora Police Union. "As a former prosecutor, I have a unique appreciation for the work done by our brave men and women serving in law enforcement" said Irvin. " I am grateful, and humbled, by their endorsement of my candidacy for Mayor." Irvin, who is a former prosecutor in both the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and the Kane County State's Attorney's Office and Aurora's first community-based prosecutor, was endorsed over incumbent Mayor Tom Weisner and challenger Alderman Stephanie Kifowit. "Crime reduction and future crime suppression is a critical part of any long term plan for Aurora's future," continued Irvin. "As Mayor, I will work diligently with local law enforcement to make sure that they succeed in their important mission." "I thank the police union for the trust and faith they have place in me and my campaign, I promise not to let them down," concluded Irvin.

Aurora Mayoral Candidate Richard Irvin Unveils Foreclosure Reduction Proposal For Immediate Release - February 24, 2009 Contact: Christopher Hage Cell - (630) 430-7822 Office - (639) 908-2923 christopherhage@yahoo.com Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin – “Owning a home is at the heart of the American dream. In these troubled economic times it is in the best interest of the city, homeowners and lenders to help find solutions to the current foreclosure crisis.” (Aurora, IL) – Today, Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin, candidate for Mayor of Aurora, unveiled his foreclosure reduction proposal. “Owning a home is at the heart of the American dream,” said Irvin. “In these troubled times it is in the best interest of the city, homeowners and lenders to help find solutions to the current foreclosure crisis.” Under the Irvin Foreclosure Reduction program, the city of Aurora would facilitate discussions between lending institutions and homeowners to negotiate a reasonable interest rate that will prevent foreclosure and allow more Aurorans to stay in their homes. “Right now we have a moral and ethical obligation to act,” continued Irvin. “The vicious downward spiral of our local economy will only be accelerated with increased numbers of families being forced out of their homes.” Under the Irvin plan, the city would help the homeowner work directly with the Chief Judge, as well as other court officers, and the lending institution to stall the foreclosure process in order to allow time to negotiate a settlement that will protect lenders and homeowners alike. “There is plenty of blame to go around in the current housing crisis, but now is not the time for finger-pointing – now is the time for action,” said Irvin. The Irvin Foreclosure Reduction program closely mirrors a similar pilot program in Philadelphia. Early reports show an 80% success rate in the Philadelphia program. “The gauge of real leadership isn’t how one reacts when times are good, the gauge of real leadership is measured on how one responds when times are tough – and the time for real leadership is now. When I am the Mayor of Aurora I will fight day and night for the people of this city and will work to insure that our local government is a partner in finding solutions to the challenges facing us today,” concluded Irvin.

Mayor Weisner Loses Endorsement of AFSCME For Immediate Release - February 20, 2009 Contact: Christopher Hage Cell - (630) 430-7822 Office - (639) 908-2923 christopherhage@yahoo.com Statement of Christopher Hage, Spokesman for the Irvin for Mayor Campaign (Aurora, IL) - "Four years age, the local chapters of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union endorsed then candidate Tom Weisner for Mayor. This week, after watching the negative effect that Mayor Weisner and his administration have had on Aurora - particularly on the Aurorans that AFSCME represents - this important union refused to endorse Mayor Weisner's re-election. Is is unfortunate that the Mayor has alienated such and important organization in this city and such an important partner for the future of Aurora. When Richard Irvin is Mayor he will fight to restore the trust and confidence of AFSCME and its members."

Aurora Mayoral Candidate Richard Irvin Unveils Ethics Reform Plan For Immediate Release - February 10, 2009 Contact: Christopher Hage Cell - (630) 430-7822 Office - (630) 908-2923 christopherhage@yahoo.com Alderman Richard Irvin – “The people of Aurora deserve more than election year politics – the people of Aurora deserve real leadership and real reform. I am running for Mayor because I want to provide the leadership to truly reform the way we run for office and govern here in Aurora. I am running for Mayor because I am committed to restoring the voters’ faith in our city government.” (Aurora, IL) – Today, Aurora Mayoral candidate Richard Irvin, Alderman-at-Large, unveiled his ethics reform plan. “The cost to Illinois of the pay for play scandal involving our former Governor goes much further than the simple embarrassment of being the punch line for late night comics,” said Irvin. “The real cost to Illinois is the further erosion of faith and confidence of the voters of this great state in our political and legislative processes.” Sadly, Aurora hasn’t been immune to pay for play politics. Just last year The Beacon News reported that more than one in four of the current Mayor’s contributors had been paid more than $64 million by the city since he took office. “Instead of working to clean up City Hall, Mayor Weisner has instead offered an ethics reform plan that is little more than a cynical, election-year motivated, incumbent protection plan,” continued Irvin. “The people of Aurora deserve more than election year politics – the people of Aurora deserve real leadership and real reform,” said Irvin. “I am running for Mayor because I want to provide the leadership to truly reform the way we run for office and govern here in Aurora. I am running for Mayor because I am committed to restoring the voters’ faith in our city government.” The keys to the Irvin ethics reform plan are transparency and accountability. “Transparency and accountability are simple concepts – concepts that should be fundamental to the way we elect our leaders and the way in which we govern,” continued Irvin. In order to create real transparency in city government Irvin proposes that: First, all contracts with the city should be made available in an on-line, searchable database. Second, all City Council meetings should be video-recorded and made available to the public on the internet. In order to create real transparency in our campaigns Irvin proposes that in any Mayoral campaign, all donations in excess of $100 should be disclosed in an on-line, searchable database. To create accountability in our city government Irvin proposes that before awarding any contract with the city, all conflicts of interest – including campaign donations received – will be publicly disclosed. To create accountability in our campaigns Irvin proposes that: First, once elected, the Mayor of Aurora will limit campaign contributions from individuals doing business with the city – or seeking to do business with the city – to less than $1000. Second, a Campaign Finance Commission will be created to study how best to protect the integrity of the political process in Aurora elections – with a special emphasis on determining the feasibility of publicly funded campaigns. This Commission would include experts on ethics and politics as well as a balanced number of local politicians from both sides of the aisle. “The ethics challenges facing us are serious challenges – challenges that require real leadership and a commitment to real reform,” concluded Irvin. “When I am the Mayor of Aurora, I will fight day and night for real ethics reform. When I am the Mayor of Aurora, I will end pay for play, root out corruption, eliminate influence peddling, and hold myself – and those around me – to the highest ethical standards possible.”

Irvin's Response to Beacon Article For Immediate Release - January 27, 2009 Contact: Christopher Hage Cell - (630) 430-7822 Office - (630) 908-2923 christopherhage@yahoo.com “The only thing transparent about Mayor Weisner’s campaign finance ‘reform’ proposal is what motivates it. The reality is that Weisner’s plan is little more than a cynical, politically driven incumbent protection plan.” – Christopher Hage, Spokesperson for Richard Irvin Statement of Christopher Hage, Spokesperson for Aurora Mayoral Candidate Richard Irvin (Aurora, IL) – “The only thing transparent about Mayor Weisner’s campaign finance ‘reform’ proposal is what motivates it. The reality is that Weisner’s plan is little more than a cynical, politically driven incumbent protection plan. Already enjoying the advantages of incumbency, and after years of reaping the benefits of pay for play politics at City Hall, Mayor Weisner is suddenly interested in campaign finance reform. One of Mayor Weisner’s so-called reforms includes a limit on the amount individual candidates can spend on their own campaigns. The people of Aurora can be confident that every penny of his own money that Richard Irvin has put into his campaign comes with no strings attached. Mayor Weisner can’t make a similar guarantee about any of the contributions he has received. Mayor Weisner’s recent press release singing the praises of his new found commitment to campaign finance reform makes it clear that the Mayor believes that the best defense is a good offense. Given the cloud of suspicion that has hung around his administration regarding pay for play, Mayor Weisner is hardly in a position to question anyone else’s ethics. Just last year The Beacon News reported that more than one in four of the Mayor’s contributors had been paid more than $64 million by the city since he took office. Richard Irvin has made ethics reform the hallmark of his campaign for Mayor. When Richard is Mayor, he will end pay for play and hold himself – and those around him – to the highest ethical standard possible.

Irvin Issues Debate Challenge For Immediate Release January 6, 2009 Richard Irvin, Alderman-at-Large — “Illinois is the state that was home to the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, and in the spirit of those debates, I challenge my opponents to join me in standing before the people of Aurora to offer their vision for the future of our city.” (Aurora, IL) – Today, Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin, candidate for Aurora Mayor, issued a debate challenge to incumbent Mayor Tom Weisner and fellow challenger Stephanie Kifowit. “Illinois is the state that was home to the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, and in the spirit of those debates, I challenge my opponents to join me in standing before the people of Aurora to offer their vision for the future of our city,” said Irvin. Irvin sent a formal request for four debates to Weisner and Kifowit’s offices. “The people of Aurora deserve a campaign that focuses on the issues,” continued Irvin. “Voters should hear the priorities of the next Mayor, the set of ethical standards he or she will follow, and the life-experiences that each would bring to that office.” “Failure to debate the critical issues facing Aurora would be an insult to the voters of this great city,” concluded Irvin. Also see IN THE NEWS section # # # I R V I N F O R A U R O R A