Aurora, IL Mayor John Laesch Criticized for Social Media Post Appearing to Urge Residents to Ignite Fireworks Locally

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) — A social media post by Aurora’s mayor is setting off a firestorm.

Mayor John Laesch warned people that his city will fine anyone who uses illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

But then, he went on to suggest that people should use them on July 3, instead.

That’s not sitting well with other public officials in Aurora.

The mayor on Tuesday defended his actions.

In addition to state law, Aurora has a city ordinance banning fireworks.

The mayor says he strongly supports that ordinance.

July 4th, 2025 Fireworks: List of shows in Chicago, suburbs, NW Indiana

But some critics say he’s sending a completely different message on social media.

Laesch distributed tags and talked to people Tuesday, warning them that fireworks are illegal, both by state law and city ordinance.

Anyone who fires them off in Aurora could be fined up to $1,000.

However, a video set for release by the city on Wednesday appears to contradict a post on the mayor’s Facebook page advising people to ignite them outside of downtown.

“When you’re instructing people that it’s acceptable to break a state law and handing them a schedule on when to do it, it’s just astonishing. It’s almost beyond belief that anyone would express that,” stated 5th Ward Alderman Carl Franco.

The mayor urges residents to join the city-sponsored fireworks event, yet part of his message appears contradictory, suggesting “If you have already purchased fireworks, I recommend using them on July 3rd when the police are preoccupied with managing traffic from the city-endorsed fireworks display.”

Dan Hoffman is a retired Aurora police commander.

“What was posted was illegal, immoral and denigrates the integrity of the police department the mayor is supposed to run,” Hoffman said.

The mayor, who took office earlier this year, says he wants people to comply with the law.

“Hopefully nobody violates the ordinance. I’m a realist. I’ve lived in Aurora a long time,” Laesch said.

Alderman Franco disagrees.

“This is a state law. So, I don’t know how you can violate that. It’s really mind-boggling,” Franco said.

The mayor says he intends to be out with police on the Fourth of July, helping enforce the ordinance banning fireworks.

But some critics say the law may now be hard to enforce.