R. Christian Smith

Christian Smith reports on Aurora city government for The Beacon-News. He grew up in Charleston, S.C., and graduated from Winthrop University in 2022. Previously, he has reported for The Citizen Times in Asheville, N.C., and The Morning News in Florence, S.C.

Aurora sets special liquor rules for new Hollywood Casino resort

March 26, 2026 at 7:41 a.m.

The Aurora City Council has approved special rules around the sale of liquor and other alcohol at the new Hollywood Casino resort, which is still under construction.

The CyrusOne data center in Aurora is seen on Feb. 2, 2026. On Tuesday, March 25, 2026, the Aurora City Council approved new regulations for data centers in the city. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Aurora adopts strict new regulations on data centers

March 25, 2026 at 3:17 p.m.

The city of Aurora's new data center regulations set standards around energy and water use plus noise and other emissions.

The former location of Leilani Asian Fusion, 2 N. River St. in downtown Aurora, as seen here on March 23, 2026, will soon be Kai Modern Japense Kitchen. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

New Japanese restaurant coming to historic Hobbs Building in downtown Aurora

March 23, 2026 at 4:03 p.m.

The new Japanese restaurant will go into the corner spot that used to hold Leilani Asian Fusion.

The CyrusOne data center in Aurora is seen on Feb. 2, 2026. On Tuesday, the City Council will consider new regulations on data centers in the city. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Aurora’s proposed data center regulations head to final vote

March 20, 2026 at 4:45 p.m.

The Aurora City Council on Tuesday is set to consider data center regulations that officials say would be among the most strict in the country.

The office of state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is piloting a program offering free tickets to the Paramount Theater in downtown Aurora. (Barbara Hernandez)

State Rep. Barbara Hernandez offering free tickets to Paramount in Aurora

March 20, 2026 at 1:03 p.m.

The office of State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is piloting a program offering free tickets to the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora.

A grand opening celebration was held Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Aurora's newly-relocated Fire Station 9. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora celebrates grand opening of two new fire stations

March 19, 2026 at 4:22 p.m.

Both stations were built to improve the fire department's response times in Aurora, following the recommendations of a 2021 study, officials said.

The future main entrance of the new Hollywood Casino Aurora, under construction, as seen on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The grand opening of the facility is planned for June 24, 2026. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

New Hollywood Casino resort in Aurora plans to open June 24

March 19, 2026 at 2:35 p.m.

The $360 million project — located along Farnsworth Avenue and Bilter Road, across the street from Chicago Premium Outlets mall and near the Interstate 88 interchange — will replace the...

The city of Aurora is preparing for a special census, although the start date is still uncertain.
(Steve Lord/The Beacon-News)

After delays, Aurora gears up for special census

March 17, 2026 at 3:40 p.m.

The city of Aurora is now gearing up for a special census that has faced various delays, although the start date is still uncertain.

The old Post Office building in downtown Aurora, which used to house the SciTech museum, could one day be turned into a cultural arts center. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora has early plans to turn old Post Office downtown into cultural center

March 15, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

As part of a larger plan still in the very early stages of development, Aurora is considering turning the old Post Office and former SciTech museum building into a cultural...

John Laesch speaks after being inaugurated as the mayor of Aurora at the Paramount Theatre on May 13, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Aurora Mayor John Laesch’s ethics reform package faces further delays

March 13, 2026 at 2:01 p.m.

After an hour and a half of discussion and alternate proposals at a meeting on Tuesday evening, the Aurora City Council voted to further delay the ethics reform package proposed...

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