Steve Lord

Steve Lord was a professional journalist for 48 years, the past 41 with The Beacon-News in Aurora. He won numerous regional and statewide awards, including two Peter J. Lisagor awards from the Chicago Headline Club. Raised in Naperville, he has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Kane County Cougars shortstop Nick Lovullo bats against the Milwaukee Milkmen on July 23, 2021, at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva. The Cougars are one of the tourist attractions in Geneva, which recently joined the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. (H. Rick Bamman / For The Beacon-News)

Geneva joins Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

November 15, 2024 at 5:28 p.m.

Geneva is the latest city to join the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, bringing the roster of area cities in the organization to 12.

Aurora City Council set to consider $759 million city budget

November 15, 2024 at 4:01 p.m.

The Aurora City Council is set to consider a $759.6 million 2025 city budget, almost $200 million higher than last year’s budget.

Aurora approves amendment to agreement with Aurora Downtown group

November 15, 2024 at 12:57 p.m.

The council voted 11-1 to change the agreement between the two entities so instead of a year’s notice to terminate the agreement by either side, it would take only 90...

Waterstone Drive empties onto a busy Eola Road in Aurora, which is why residents fear a proposed townhome development would make traffic even worse. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council again delays vote on development near Eola Road

November 14, 2024 at 3:54 p.m.

The Aurora City Council this week delayed consideration of a proposed townhome development near Eola Road at the site of the former WBIG and WMRO radio stations.

Aurora City Council members Tuesday approved hiring a consultant to develop a plan for the use of artificial intelligence at Aurora City Hall. (City of Aurora)

Aurora approves consultant for use of artificial intelligence at City Hall

November 13, 2024 at 4:07 p.m.

After being assured there will be plenty of public input, Aurora aldermen this week approved hiring a Massachusetts-based company to help develop a plan and strategy for how generative artificial...

Traffic moves through the busy intersection of Bilter Road and Farnsworth Avenue in Aurora this week, with the new Hollywood Casino-Aurora project looming in the background. Both roads, along with Church Road, will get a lot of work through a $19.5 million contract approved by the City Council on Tuesday. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council approves $19.5 million contract for northeast side roadwork

November 13, 2024 at 3:41 p.m.

The Aurora City Council on Tuesday evening approved a contract for roadwork along Farnsworth Avenue, Bilter Road and Church Road, much of it connected to the new Hollywood Casino-Aurora resort.

Aurora resident Becky Hoff represents her family members that have served in the armed forces during the Aurora Veterans Day parade on Monday in the city's downtown. (H. Rick Bamman / For The Beacon-News)

Aurora comes together to salute veterans

November 11, 2024 at 4:16 p.m.

The city's celebration of Veterans Day on Monday included a parade, awards and special remarks from former U.S. Army private first class and former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch.

A table tent sits on a table at Taqueria Durango in North Aurora, one of a number of locally-owned restaurants in the Aurora area that display the tents to publicize the Aurora Holiday Food Drive. (Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry)

Restaurant table tents help spread word of Aurora Holiday Food Drive

November 8, 2024 at 9:16 p.m.

As the Aurora Holiday Food Drive continues, officials are looking for any possible ways of spreading the word about the drive.

Aurora moves ahead with business equity plan

November 8, 2024 at 9:02 p.m.

Aurora is moving further ahead with programs to create more opportunity for businesses owned by minorities and women.

Challenges to petitions for 2025 Aurora city election continued to later in the month

November 8, 2024 at 3:08 p.m.

Six challenges to election petitions for next year’s city election in Aurora were heard Friday but continued to other days for procedural reasons.

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