City of Aurora and Aurora Civic Center Authority Come To Agreement
Published on November 14, 2025
The City of Aurora and the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) have reached an agreement on operating support of $2 million in 2026, ensuring ACCA can continue running its four live performance spaces throughout downtown Aurora, as well as the Paramount School of the Arts.
The agreement, brokered in partnership between the Mayor’s Office and Paramount Theatre leadership, provides ACCA with a one-time “off-ramp” payment of $2 million. This support will allow programming to continue uninterrupted, including the Broadway Series, Stolp Island Theatre, Paramount School of the Arts, RiverEdge Park, and other presented events, while ACCA continues to secure new avenues to return to fiscal stability and a self-sustaining business model for the future.
“This agreement reflects true partnership and collaboration,” said Mayor John Laesch. “The City’s 2026 budget presents significant challenges. I appreciate the efforts of Paramount Theatre leadership as they worked to streamline their budget, just as all City Departments did during our budgeting process. Many difficult decisions were made, and I am proud that we were able to develop a collaborative solution. For many years, the Paramount Theatre has been a cornerstone of pride in Aurora’s downtown, and we want to see it continue to flourish.”
“The Paramount Theatre and the City of Aurora have always shared a strong partnership,” said Tim Rater, President and CEO of the Paramount Theatre. “For years, we have built on each other’s successes, helping to revitalize the downtown area. This agreement allows both ACCA and the City to continue progressing together while maintaining a financially sustainable future. We truly appreciate the Mayor and his team working alongside us to find this support, and we look forward to working together to continue to evolve this amazing City.”
In the past few years, ACCA received federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds distributed by the City, supporting operations during the post-pandemic recovery period. While no ARPA funds remain, ACCA historically has received $435,000 in head tax revenue generated by the Hollywood Casino and collected by the City, which will continue. Since 2013, ACCA has managed and operated RiverEdge Park for the City and received an annual management fee for operating RiverEdge Park. Having already worked hard on operational efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities, the $2 million of support in 2026 will help ACCA continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, maintain its current programming and operations, and continue to return to pre-pandemic economic independence.
About the City of Aurora
The City of Aurora, Illinois, is the state’s second-largest city. Founded in 1847, Aurora was among the first cities in the nation to adopt electric street lighting, earning it the nickname “City of Lights.” Conveniently located along the East/West Tollway Corridor, Aurora is accessible through five major interchanges. Corporate offices and commercial development on both the city’s east and west sides continue to drive growth, extending Aurora’s boundaries from Illinois Route 59 on the east to areas beyond Orchard Road on the west. The City of Aurora is proudly led by its 60th Mayor, John Laesch.
About Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA)
ACCA created an estimated $54 million economic impact in 2024 throughout the City of Aurora and is expected to add even more local value in 2025. ACCA oversees the operation of five live performance venues in Aurora. The Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., is the center for performing arts and education in downtown Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois. Since 1931, the beautiful, 1,843-seat theater, graced with a strong 1930s Art Deco influence and original Venetian décor, has been downtown Aurora’s anchor attraction. Since launching its own Broadway Series in 2011, Paramount has amassed more than 40,000 subscribers, making it the largest subscription house in the U.S. Today, Paramount Theatre is nationally known for its high-quality productions, superb acoustics, and historic grandeur.
In addition to the Paramount Theatre, ACCA owns and operates the 165-seat Copley Theatre, at 8 E. Galena in the North Island Center; Stolp Island Theatre, now open at 5 E. Downer Place, Suite G, with a critically acclaimed immersive production of Million Dollar Quartet; and RiverEdge Park, downtown Aurora’s outdoor summer concert venue at 360 N. Broadway.