On June 12, Pride events in at least two Chicago suburbs took place.
After a question about the event taking place, hundreds attended the Aurora Pride Paradealthough Mayor Richard Irvin was not part of the festivities. The Republican gubernatorial candidate (who was at the event last year) refrained from marching because Aurora Pride, the group behind the event, barred police from participating in the parade.
"It's been just up and down, up and down, a lot of work, a lot of stress, but we finally pulled it off," said Aurora Pride President Gwyn Ciesla said, according to NBC Chicago.
Woodstock Pride also took place, and thousands of people attended that parade as well.
Attendees included local advocacy organizations and nonprofits, local businesses and politicians as well as the town's very own Woodstock Williethe town groundhog who comes out in recognition of the Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day, which was filmed in Woodstock.