Aurora, Illinois nestles along the banks of the lovely Fox River. Aurora residents call their home "The City of Lights", because it was the first in the United States to use electric lights to illuminate the whole city, in 1881. Settled by pioneer brothers Samuel and Joseph McCarty in 1834, modern-day Aurora covers almost 40 square miles and extends into Kane, DuPage, Kendall and Will Counties

Located 37 miles west of booming Chicago, Aurora saw rapid growth in the last few decades. Census 2000 reported the population at almost 143,000, making it Illinois' third largest city, with Rockford coming in second. However, unofficial 2005 estimates show Aurora's population at almost 170,000 and Rockford, 140,000, making Aurora number two.

Aurora, IL enjoys a strong and stable economic base. The Aurora Development Assistance Programs and the AEDC work closely with corporations and small businesses both. They have attracted a wide variety of commerce to the Fox valley region. Caterpillar, Inc, Farmer's Insurance, Cabot Microelectronics and Kraft Foods are just a few of the leading businesses in Aurora.

Downtown Aurora is rich with historic architecture, cultural opportunities and the finest in retail shops. Located on Stolp Island, which bisects Fox River, Downtown is also home to the Paramount Arts Center, SciTech Interactive Science Museum, the Riverfront Playhouse and the Hollywood Casino, a riverboat-gambling cruise, Aurora draws 200,000 visitors from the surrounding suburbs and inner city Chicago. The National Register of Historic Places lists the entire Downtown District and more than 20 individual buildings, many displaying the exquisite architecture of the late 1800's with terra cotta scrollwork and detailed cornices.

Aurora, Illinois retains rural charm and grace while transforming into a vital urban city. The elegant Aurora River Walk connects to the 33-mile Fox River Trail, a scenic escape into nature. Throughout Downtown, flowers, benches and fountains line the beautifully landscaped river paths, providing a tranquil place to stroll in the heart of the city.

Aurora Downtown Alive! offers free concerts each Friday night through the summer months. 'Party in the Plaza' does the same on Wednesdays. The annual Puerto Rican Heritage Festival draws over 6,500 visitors. In September, the Midwest Literary Festival brings writers and readers from all round the region. Varieties of housing choices await newcomers to Aurora. Found here are nine neighborhoods, Downtown, plus six designated historic districts. Some of these include: Near Northwest Neighborhood, Tanner Historic District, Downer Place West, and the LaSalle Street Auto Row Historic District. With Aurora's recent population surge, there's plenty of new, modern housing available as well. Aurora, Illinois celebrates the prosperity of urban living, while retaining the beauty and grace of its rural past. Aurora’s civic leaders continually demonstrate amazing foresight and vision, as they guide the 'City of Lights' into a bright tomorrow.