About Aurora, IL

Located a little more than 40 miles west of Chicago, Aurora is a large suburb of Chicago with more than 175,000 residents (2007 estimate). As one of the first cities in Illinois to have an all-electric street lighting system, "The City of Lights" was also one of the first cities to openly support abolitionism. Divided by the Fox River, Aurora is known for all of its historic theatres, the most popular of those theatres, Paramount Theater, was renovated in 2006 and serves about 150,000 patrons a year.

Along with numerous historic theatres, Aurora is home to many recreational areas that make the city come to life. The Phillips Park Zoo is a free attraction to residents and tourists with exhibits that showcase native animals of the surrounding area. Located near the Phillips Park Zoo is the Phillips Park Sunken Garden, which was opened in June of 2002. With more than 325 acres, the park's attractions include a visitor center, Mastodon gallery, the Phillips Park Golf Course, Aquatic Center, Mastodon Lake, and World War I cannons and many veteran-related monuments.

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Employment opportunities in the city of Aurora continue to grow, and at Rasmussen College, our Career Services staff continuously places our graduates in respected positions throughout the area. Aurora's major employers include Catepillar Tractor Company, LTD Commodities, Dreyer Medical Clinic, Met Life, Provena-Mercy Center, Rush-Copley Medical Center, Old Second National Bank, and Farmers Insurance.

Other interesting facts:
  • Head Coach of the Minnesota Vikings, Brad Childress, was born in Aurora, IL
  • The movie Wayne's World, is based out of Aurora, IL, but the majority of the the movie was filmed in other locations
  • The television show Prison Break, has many references to Aurora and the show is filmed in the area
  • In 1904, Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to visit Aurora, IL. George W. Bush visited the city in 2006, making him the second president to visit the city
  • The movie Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup, Leelee Sobieski, and Channing Tatum has some scenes shot in Aurora, IL at the Paramount Theatre
  • The architect of Old Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field, Zachary Taylor Davis, was born in Aurora, IL

If you have questions about our Aurora, IL campus, all (630) 888-3500 locally or nationwide toll free (800) 852-6367. Get answers from people who live and work there.