From Chicago Sun-Times · · 2m
Aurora mayor calls for resignation over $43M city funds linked to indicted school board member
Aurora mayor demands Annette Johnson resign after alleging $43.1M in city funds went to businesses tied to her.
In brief
Aurora mayor demands Annette Johnson resign after alleging $43.1M in city funds went to businesses tied to her. Aurora Mayor John Laesch says $43.1 million in city funds were sent to businesses linked to Annette Johnson, an indicted school board member who faces wire fraud charges. Originally reported by Chicago…
Aurora mayor calls for resignation
Aurora Mayor John Laesch demands Annette Johnson resign after alleging $43.1 million in city funds went to businesses linked to her.
Johnson indicted for wire fraud
Annette Johnson faces wire fraud charges for a $1.3 million kickback scheme involving school district purchases.
Alleged $43.1M city funds
Laesch says $43.1 million in payments went to eight companies linked to Johnson between 2018 and 2023.
School board ties
Johnson served on East Aurora School District 131 board as president and CFO of a business during the alleged scheme.
Air purifier deal
Johnson pushed for $2.7 million in air purifiers in 2021 in exchange for $1.3 million payment to a company she helped lead.
Voting pattern
Johnson voted for the air purifier deal without disclosing her personal economic interest in the sale.
Unreported payments
Johnson received $7,500 in 2021 from companies she didn't list on her economic interest statements.
Blank economic statements
Johnson's economic interest statements were blank between 2012 and 2024, the year she faced a conflict of interest challenge.
Conflict of interest ruling
The school board ruled it lacked authority to challenge Johnson's economic statements and dropped the conflict of interest matter.
2025 economic statement
Johnson listed DJ Payne for the first time in her economic interest statement in 2025, though the company still lists her as part of its sales team.
Mayor's call for justice
Laesch hopes for justice for families of District 131 and the East Aurora community as the investigation continues.
The key point
Aurora Mayor John Laesch says $43.1 million in city funds were sent to businesses linked to Annette Johnson, an indicted school board member who faces wire fraud charges.
