>>> A WELL-CONNECTED COMPANY IS LOOKING TO DEVELOP CITY HOME PROPERTIES IN THE WEST SUBURBS, HOPING TO RECEIVE $80,000 IN GRANT MONEY .

ONE OF THE CO-OWNERS IS MARRIED TO A HIGH-LEVEL CITY OFFICIAL.

HERE IS THE MAYOR OF AURORA LOOKING AT HOW THAT SAME COMPANY IS LOOKING TO INCREASE THAT FOOTPRINT.

>> THIS IS JUST STEPS AWAY FROM CITY HALL .

WHEN WE FIRST REPORTED , THAT'S IN THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A GRANT ON TOP OF $75,000 LAST YEAR.

ONE OF THE CO-OWNERS IS A DIRECTOR OF CYBER AND TECHNOLOGY AND THEY RUN A CONSULTING COMPANY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND WERE ONCE INVOLVED IN A CONSULTING BUSINESS IN 2020 , WITH A LIFELONG FRIEND OF IRVIN'S.

>> DO WE KNOW WHAT THEIR NEXT MOVES ARE GOING TO BE?

>> THEY ARE INTERESTED IN THREE VACANT CITY OWNED PROPERTIES .

IN A LETTER TO THE CITY LATE LAST YEAR , THEY HAD A MEETING WITH CITY STAFF TO DISCUSS A LETTER OF INTENT OVER THESE PROPERTIES.

THIS WAS WITH THE CITY OF AURORA AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RESPONSES AND THEY REACHED OUT AGAIN.

A STAFFER FROM THE CITY'S CLERK OFFICE SAID THAT IN EARLY FEBRUARY , THEY MET WITH POTENTIAL INVESTORS WHO EXPRESSED SOME INTEREST.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY HAS NOT TAKEN ACTION , NOR HAS A LETTER OF INTENT BEEN ENTERED INTO , INVOLVING THE PROPERTY .

THE CORRESPONDENCE IS NOT A LETTER OF INTENT.

BOTH THE MEETING INVITE AND THE SUBJECT DID USE THE LANGUAGE LETTER OF INTENT ABOUT REAL ESTATE PURCHASE NEGOTIATIONS COMPLIANT WITH ILLINOIS LAW.

>> CERTAIN PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CONNECTIONS IN THESE DEALS, SO WOULD DO WE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE TERMS?

>> WE DON'T.

THIS WOULD MAKE THOSE TERMS PUBLIC, BUT THEY ARE LOOKING TO TAKE OVER CITY PROPERTY DOWNTOWN AND THERE'S A PATTERN, WITH POLITICAL TIES TO THE MAYOR , BENEFITING FROM CITY INCENTIVES BEING DONATED TO THE CAMPAIGN .

THEY MAINTAIN THAT THESE DEALS ARE ABOVE BOARD AND THE CITY DID