Irvin claims Aurora mayoral race

Longtime Alderman at Large Richard C. Irvin has claimed the Aurora mayoral seat after a closely matched battle with Richard "Rick" Guzman, according to unofficial vote totals.

Results show Irvin garnered 7,574 votes and Guzman finished with 7,404 to fall 170 votes behind with all 116 precincts reporting from the Aurora and DuPage County election commissions.

Irvin gave a victory speech Tuesday night to a crowd of hundreds at Gaslite Manor Banquets, while Guzman said he appreciated the city's reaction to his first campaign for elected office.

"I heard over and over that Aurora can't lose, and I believe that's the case," Guzman said. "Overall people felt like this was a very positive campaign."

The neck-and-neck race to be Aurora's next mayor came after 11-year Mayor Tom Weisner stepped down last fall because of health reasons.

It pitted Irvin, a 46-year-old attorney, against Guzman, 39, who has served as assistant chief of staff in the mayor's office since 2011.

Irvin said he would spend his first 100 days in the mayor's office starting to implement his campaign plan of controlling crime, improving education and fostering economic development.

A lifelong Aurora resident and Army veteran, Irvin says he plans to address crime by implementing problem-oriented policing, so beat cops can get to know their communities and address violence at its root causes.

He said he plans to improve education by lobbying for equitable school funding and creating an education commission. He said he plans to strengthen Aurora's economy by focusing on business retention, expansion and recruitment.

Guzman and Irvin advanced to the general election from a Feb. 28 primary, in which they topped candidates Linda Chapa LaVia and Michael B. Saville. They also prevailed over five write-in candidates whose presence triggered the primary to narrow the field.

Irvin will be sworn in as Aurora mayor May 9.