Pride Parade Gets OK In Aurora, Over Some Objections

(WBBM Newsradio) — An Aurora City Council committee has given final approval to a Pride Parade in the western suburb on Father’s Day, June 17.

Aurora becomes the first city outside of Chicago to host such a parade in the metropolitan area.

Several speakers, including Ruby Raefort, expressed concerns about a 60-float parade that could be anything but family friendly, saying: “There’s no benefit in celebrating sexual preferences.”

Indivisible Aurora sought the permit. The organization’s chair, Chuck Adams, called the vote “a win for all of Aurora.”

The vote by the three-member committee Tuesday was 2-0.

The committee chair, Ald. Scheketa Hart-Burns, said she lacked the information to vote, and accused city personnel of going around her.

A couple of speakers expressed disappointment that the parade will occur on Father’s Day, a week before the Chicago parade,  City staff said they chose the date because of conflicts with local events the two previous weekends and the Chicago parade the week after.

Indivisible Aurora will pay policing costs. Adams said the group is $2,500 from its goal.

Brittney Borowicz

Brittney Borowicz is an integrated marketing professional with a strong communications background specializing in journalism, public relations and social media. Originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Brittney has spent the past few years working with entrepreneurs and small start-ups in the Chicagoland area to enhance their marketing and social media efforts. Prior to her current role as the marketing manager for a computer networking company, Brittney realized her affinity for all things media and marketing while working in radio and television and as a professional presenter. Later, she began working at a couple of small marketing agencies as a Public Relations and Sales Director and Account Manager, which required her to be well versed in coordinating specialized public and media relations strategies, creative marketing initiatives and cohesive sales process implementations. As a strong believer in intimate consumer/brand involvement, Brittney helps her clients create content that engages and educates brand audiences while establishing each client as a thought leader in their industry. Personal Details: > B.S. Broadcast Journalism, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign > Member of Social Media Club Chicago and Toastmasters International > Fan of all things food and wine

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