JANUARY 7, 2025
The City of Aurora made a proclamation, designating April 10 as: DEE BASILE DAY.

Whereas, on January 1, 2025, the new year with the loss of one of Aurora's brightest lights, one of our boldest and most golden rays of sunshine, and biggest cheerleaders and champions for all things great about our city; and Whereas, Delia "Dee" Nila Basile was born on April 10, 1950, in Aurora, attended St. Nicholas Grade School, graduated from Madonna High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 2011 at the age of 61; and

Whereas, Dee served 18 years at Aurora City Hall in many capacities where she excelled as an ambassador of Aurora, she served on the board of the board of the Aurora Public Library Foundation and as a dedicated staff member of the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce; and

Whereas, Dee founded Aurora's Annual Parade of Nations, and, in recognition of her legacy, the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board named the annual Delia Nila Basile Award for exemplary leadership in her honor; and

Whereas, Dee volunteered countless hours to dozens of causes of organizations, events, initiatives, and causes that promoted the best of Aurora. If something great was happening, Dee was often there with her customary big smile and warm hug; and

Now, Therefore, I, Mayor Richard C. Irvin, do hereby recognize Dee's immeasurable impact and influence on the City of Aurora by posthumously proclaiming her birthday, April 10, as Dee Basile Day in the City of Aurora and call upon Aurorans to use this day as a day of service, compassion and kindness in memory of our beloved Dee.

Mayor Richard C. Irvin
59th Mayor of Aurora