Aurora, IL Mayor John Laesch under fire after social media post seeming to encourage residents to set off fireworks in city
Share this @internewscast.com

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.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Woman in hospital bed recovering from dog attack.

Woman, 55, Attacked by Dogs While Delivering Uber Eats Order – Dogs Grabbed Her Head

A GRAN was left seriously injured after being mauled by two dogs…
Tragedy strikes at popular national park as climber meets fatal end on mountain

Climber’s Life Tragically Lost in Popular National Park Accident

A rock climbing outing turned fatal for one National Park visitor after…

‘Police Chief Father Abused Me for Over a Decade in Disturbing Cult That Traumatized Me as a Child’

THE daughter of a police chief claims her dad raped her for…
Military amphibious vehicles in the water.

Observe as a Massive Fleet of New Chinese ‘Tank Boats’ Takes to the Water Amid Taiwan’s Largest War Drills Yet

DRAMATIC footage captures a fleet of Chinese tank boats charging through the…
State Department firing more than 1,300 employees under President Donald Trump administration plan, officials say

Trump Administration’s Plan Leads to Over 1,300 State Department Employee Dismissals, Officials Report

The State Department is set to terminate over 1,300 employees this Friday…
Who was Thomas Crooks? One year later, motive and missed warnings haunt Trump rally shooting

Who Was Thomas Crooks? One Year On, Motive and Overlooked Alerts Still Linger in the Trump Rally Shooting

As we approach the anniversary of the attempt on President Donald Trump’s…
Alan Dershowitz Drops Bombshells, Says There Is in Fact an Epstein Client List—and He Knows Who's on It

Alan Dershowitz Reveals Shocking News: Confirms the Existence of an Epstein Client List and Claims to Know Who’s Included

Many observers were left dissatisfied with the conclusions, as the department had…
Son of ‘El Chapo’ expected to plead guilty in drug trafficking case in rescheduled hearing

‘El Chapo’s Son Likely to Admit Guilt in Drug Trafficking Case at Rescheduled Court Hearing’

CHICAGO (AP) — Ovidio Guzman Lopez, one of the sons of infamous…
Waycross teens killed by lightning strike, city manager says

City Manager Reports Teen Deaths from Lightning Strike in Waycross

Waycross City Manager Ulysess Rayford said the two teens were fishing when…
Darius Miles set for trial Dec. 1 in Tuscaloosa shooting

Darius Miles’ Trial for Tuscaloosa Shooting Scheduled for December 1

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles is scheduled to…
Man wrestling a crocodile.

Outrage as Influencer Colton Macaulay Recklessly Confronts Dangerous Crocodile in Viral Stunt

THIS is the shocking moment influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles a deadly croc,…
Judge orders Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops, arrests in California

Court Mandates Trump Administration to Cease Random Immigration Checks and Arrests in California

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge on Friday commanded the Trump administration…