Mayor John Laesch Provides Post-Storm Update
 Click on the image to watch Mayor John Laesch's video message!
Aurora, it's been a challenging past few days.
We had some strong thunderstorms that came through on Saturday night, leaving over 19,000 ComEd customers without power, and significant tree damage throughout the City, mostly to our West Side residents (Ward 4, 5, and 6).
In situations like this, a safe and timely recovery is our top priority. Following the storms, City staff immediately rose to the occasion and quickly assembled to begin addressing issues throughout the City.
I’d like to thank our excellent Street Maintenance Division, Water and Sewer Division, Public Works Department, and our emergency responders, including Aurora Police and Fire. Over 300 requests for service have come through myAurora 311 for downed trees and other damage throughout the City. I appreciate the work of our Customer Service Division, too, in handling this emergency with the highest level of professionalism and care.
As of this afternoon, the Streets Team has completed nearly 50 percent of all calls for service and have deployed every crew, along with contracted help. The team is working around the clock to move as fast and as safely as possible. ComEd has also restored power to 90 percent of customers, as of this afternoon.
 Groot, our waste management partner, is also here to help. Tree branches and tree limbs that fell on your property can be placed on the curb immediately. There is no need to wait until your garbage day for this service. The placement of tree branches on the parkway will be allowed for two weeks outside of your garbage day pickup.
Branches and limbs that span from a half inch to 4 inches in diameter and 2 to 4 feet in length must be bundled. Each bundle must weigh less than 50 pounds, too. Bundled brush, though, can be placed on the curb without a waste sticker.
Brush less than a half inch in diameter is considered yard waste, per Groot, and must be placed in a kraft paper yard waste bag with a waste sticker attached.
Aurora, we're a strong, tight-knit community. I want to again thank our first responders and public employees that worked so hard in the hot, humid conditions to clean up our streets. I also want to thank the community for really stepping up to look after your neighbors by helping with their downed trees, and helping to clear off streets and sidewalks in your neighborhood. That's what makes us all stronger together.
Respectfully,
Mayor John Laesch
 As a reminder, if you discover downed trees and related damage from the storms, please utilize the myAurora 311 app to file a report. The app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. myAurora 311 serves as your first point of contact for the City of Aurora, and provides a cohesive customer experience for all residents as a one-stop-shop for non-emergency City services, information, and assistance.
 The City of Aurora's Street Maintenance Division has worked hard since Saturday night, addressing over 300 reports of downed trees and storm damage throughout the City.
Thank you to CBS Chicago's Asal Rezaei for covering the Division's hard work and providing residents with an inside look into the clean up process.
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