Aurora and Woodstock are among the Chicago suburbs that staged Pride Parades this year.
The Aurora Pride Parade took place June 9and the second annual event was able to happen because of a massive fundraising push courtesy of Indivisible Aurora.
Expenses, which totaled about $17,000, covered security and other unexpected costsand nearly quadrupled last year's budget for the event. As such, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin announced its cancellation on April 16, after Indivisible Aurora said it could not meet the new costs. However, Indivisible Aurora Executive Director Chuck Adam mounted an online fundraiser that same dayand the group raised more than $20,000.
Woodstock Pride took place on the same day at historic Woodstock Square. Local business leaders and politicians such as U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood ( D-Illinois ) were present at the event.