Final 3 Candidates Selected For Ward 7 Alderman Seat In Aurora

AURORA, IL — The slate of candidates vying for longtime Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns' Ward 7 seat has been narrowed down to three.

The initial pool of 14 applicants was trimmed to seven finalists, rather than one, in early August to "make the process more transparent" and allow the Council and community to see the "caliber of candidates," Patch reported. One then withdrew due to a scheduling conflict.

The pool of candidates is down to Alex Arroyo, currently in his third term as an East Aurora School District 131 board member; Diana Barajas-Gonzalez, who owns and runs Renew Salon and Aurora Tap House; and Brandon Tolliver, an insurance underwriter who studied political science. All three were born and raised in Aurora.

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

The new alderman will represent Ward 7 after Hart-Burns died unexpectedly June 19 from surgical complications, Patch reported. When she was elected in 1991, she made history as the first Black person to hold a seat on the Aurora City Council.

Mayor Richard Irvin will bring his final recommendation forth for a vote by the Aurora City Council at a special meeting Sept. 5. The appointed alderman will serve until the next general election in 2025.