7 For Ward 7: Finalists Selected To Fill Scheketa Hart-Burns's Seat

AURORA, IL — Mayor Richard Irvin has narrowed down the field of candidates to fill late Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns's Ward 7 seat to seven people.

Hart-Burns, who was first elected to represent Ward 7 in 1991, died unexpectedly June 19 from surgical complications, city officials said. She made history by becoming the first Black person to hold a seat on the Aurora City Council and went on to serve for more than 30 years.

Fourteen people submitted applications for her position, including eight men and six women, to represent the three zip codes in the ward: 60505, 60504 and 60502.

After interviewing the candidates, Irvin advanced a group of seven finalists — rather than bringing one final recommendation to City Council for approval — to "make the process more transparent" and allow the Council and community to see the "caliber of candidates," said Chief Communications Officer Clayton Muhammad.

RELATED: 'Trailblazing Public Servant': Alderwoman Hart-Burns Dies At 68

"My goal was to have a recommendation made by tonight," Irvin said at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. "But once I began the interview process, it was clear there were many candidates who would step in and be an effective leader of Ward 7."

Of the finalists, only six attended Tuesday's meeting. Jacqueline Gibson, the principal of Cowherd Middle School, withdrew her application due to a scheduling conflict. Her course schedule for her doctorate degree will be meeting on Tuesday evenings in the fall, the same night as City Council meetings, Muhammad said.

Irvin plans to make a final recommendation for City Council approval within the next couple of weeks, giving candidates additional time to speak with Ward 7 residents and business owners. The newly appointed alderperson will fulfill Hart-Burns's remaining term until the next general municipal election in the spring of 2025.

"Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be making that determination of who that one person will be to fill this vacancy and continue the legacy of Scheketa Hart-Burns," Irvin said.

The Candidates

Alex Arroyo

Arroyo, who was born and raised in Aurora to immigrant parents, is currently in his third term as an East Aurora School District 131 board member. He has served in leadership positions and on the boards of multiple community organizations, including T.E.A.M. Illinois, Kane County's Weed & Seed, God's Gym, Illinois Coalition of Community Services, and Metropolitan Leadership Institute.

Diana Barajas-Gonzalez

Barajas-Gonzalez, who was born and raised in the heart of Aurora, owns and runs Renew Salon and Aurora Tap House. She is an advocate at Mutual Ground, helping those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. She and her husband, who have been married for 27 years, raised five children in their hometown.

John "Drew" Eddy

Eddy has been an Aurora resident since 1989 and has lived in Ward 7 for the last 15 years. He holds a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a master of business administration from Lewis University. He currently works as a sales manager at Atlantic Plywood in Bolingbrook. Eddy also coaches soccer, football and baseball in the Aurora area and has been on the boards of the Oaks Recreational Club, AYSO Soccer and Mercy Fest.

Cynthia Gamboa

Gamboa is the owner of CamMi Photo Booth and the founder of the CUPS Bra Drive with the mission to collect bras to donate to women facing adversities. At the height of the pandemic, she established a volunteer initiative to deliver food to elderly residents in Ward 7. Gamboa holds a bachelor's degree in human resources management with an emphasis in employment discrimination law from Northern Illinois University.

Anderson Lee

Lee has lived in Aurora since 2004 and worked for Waubonsee Community College from 2008 to 2016. He currently works at CompTIA Tech Career Academy establishing partnerships with community organizations, secondary schools and employers. His experience includes encouraging students to apply for internships and supporting people looking for jobs. After attending New York City public schools, he went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and a master's from Columbia University.

Brandon Tolliver

Tolliver, born and raised on Aurora's west side, was a student in West Aurora School District 129 from kindergarten through 12th grade. After graduating from West Aurora High School in 2007, he went on to get a bachelor's degree in political science from Northern Illinois University. He has worked in the insurance industry for 10 years and currently serves as a commercial construction underwriter for Hartford Insurance Group. He resides in Ward 7's Georgetown neighborhood.