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 Ald. Mike Saville, 6th Ward, right, on Friday, April 10, 2026, looks through historic photos of past mayors that were recovered by Aurora employee LaShon Harden, left. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora employee rescues historic photos dating back to city’s founding: ‘Really precious stuff’

April 12, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Historic photos of past Aurora mayors, which were thought destroyed during renovations at City Hall, were saved by a city employee and recently passed on to city officials.

The project to replace the wooden sound wall along Orchard Road in Aurora, seen here near the intersection with Indian Trail, is currently in the design phase, according to city officials. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora alderman accuses mayor of not coordinating on major project

April 12, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

An Aurora alderman has publicly accused Mayor John Laesch of not coordinating around the Orchard Road sound wall project, which is nearing the finish line after many years of work.

Aurora City Council members are still discussing a proposed campaign ethics reform package. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council members make little progress towards passing ethics reform package

April 8, 2026 at 3:55 p.m.

Six months after Aurora Mayor John Laesch first proposed his campaign ethics reform package, aldermen are making little progress towards getting it across the finish line.

The CyrusOne data center in Aurora is seen on Feb. 2, 2026. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

After mitigation measures, residents say Aurora data center still creating noise issues

April 6, 2026 at 4:10 p.m.

Some residents living near the CyrusOne data center in Aurora say that, despite mitigations, the facility is still causing noise issues.

The city of Aurora aldermen’s board, which used to hold historic photos of past aldermen, was accidentally destroyed before digital scans of the photos could be made, city officials discovered. (Dan Barreiro)

Alderman works to restore a bit of Aurora history lost during renovation of City Hall

April 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

When Aurora Ald. Mike Saville learned that historic photos of past aldermen had been accidentally destroyed before they could be digitized, he took it upon himself to find copies and...

Aurora looks at $1.8 million water main replacement project

April 2, 2026 at 3:51 p.m.

Specifically, the water mains to be replaced run under Liberty Street from Hillside Avenue to Catherine Street, under Beckwith Street from Grove Street to Liberty Street, under the whole length...

Aurora Mayor John Laesch, seen here speaking at a public forum at Waubonsee Community College's downtown Aurora campus in February, is set to give his first State of the City Address as mayor on April 16. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora Mayor John Laesch to host State of the City Address on April 16

April 1, 2026 at 3:59 p.m.

The mayor's address is set for April 16, just over a year after he was elected.

Aurora Ald. Carl Franco is working to put a referendum question on the April 2027 ballot asking voters if they would like to see Aurora change from a mayoral form of government to a city manager form of operating. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora alderman works to change city’s form of government

April 1, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Aurora Ald. Carl Franco has organized a committee to push for Aurora to adopt a city manager system for running the city.

The sign at Northgate Shopping Center in Aurora, considered a local landmark by the city, could one day be lit up again as community members push to see it restored. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora community members push to restore historic Northgate sign

March 29, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Aurora community members are leading a push to restore the Northgate Shopping Center's historic sign, which years ago was declared a local landmark by the city.

The hotel at the new Hollywood Casino Aurora, under construction, as seen on Thursday, March 19, 2026. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

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.

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