Above / In our view, the best local elected officials are ones aware of all the gaps from one governmental body to the other in order to create the most efficient government possible without duplication of services. Consider how many governments are connected by this covered bridge as it stretches over the DuPage River from the temporary location of the Grassroots Overlook plaque to the Riverwalk, just steps from dining and shopping throughout downtown Naperville. (PN Photo March 5, 2017)
UPDATE April 5, 2017 / Link to 2017 Consolidated Election Results…
Note, March 18, 2017 / As forums have been completed, the ones that were videotaped have been linked to this page. Thanks for taking a little time to be informed about the candidates as they aim to serve, approving public policy, plans and budgets on the city’s taxing bodies.
Our city hangs its hat on surveys. Every other day some national survey recognizes that our city is very good for something.
Even local organizations conduct surveys. Take them when you can. Your input is valued in this ever-changing city to help it stay on top of the services residents prize the most.
Recent survey results revealed 94 percent satisfaction among the 1,395 residents who took the Naperville Community Survey. Our citizens appreciate and value public safety provided by the police and fire departments. A few areas to address are traffic congestion, street and sidewalk maintenance, infrastructure care as well as electric and water rates.
Another professional survey conducted late last year by School District 203 attracted 14,500 respondents as it addressed the school calendar and the school day, seeking a solution for the right time to start the high school day.
Other surveys are planned this spring by the Riverwalk Commission and the Naperville Park District.
Save the date! Vote from 6AM to 7PM Tues., April 4
Our city, townships, parks and schools also are taking a survey on April 4. The Illinois Consolidated Election invites residents to head to the polls to elect folks to serve on local taxing bodies including City Council, Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners, District 203 and 204 School Boards and College of DuPage Board of Trustees.
Over and over, folks have touted, “All politics is local.” Over and over this publication has promoted a quote attributed to Plato to urge local voters to be informed. The Greek philosopher wrote, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”
Be prepared to answer a question, yes or no, when you go vote in Naperville Township and Lisle Township.
Binding Question for Naperville and Lisle Townships / The ballot in the Consolidated Election on April 4, 2017, will ask voters in Naperville Township and Lisle Township:
“Shall the Naperville Township Road District and the Lisle Township Road District of DuPage County, Illinois, be consolidated into one consolidated Township Road District?” YES or NO
Thanks for reading…
Thanks for discussing the issues with other Naperville residents and encouraging folks to be registered voters by March 7, 2017.
Check out the listing of the candidates, likely some of your friends and neighbors. Attend Meet and Greet events and public forums to become informed.
Try to determine if your preferred candidates have skills to set public policy and approve fiscally-responsible budgets. Are they good listeners? Are they open to clearly discuss their differences and possible unintended consequences of their votes, outcomes that sometimes are not foreseen and intended by a purposeful action? Do they support self-interest and empathy as founding principles of economics?
And ask if they support the local business community whenever possible?
The following local residents have thrown their hats into the ring for the Consolidated Election on April 4, 2017, each one with the desire to serve the community on a local taxing body. We appreciate that the candidates are giving their time and service to run for elected office, providing choices for this city going forward.
Get to know the candidates!
In ballot order to fill four 4-year seats on Naperville City Council are Judith Brodhead, Michael Leland Isaac, John “Johnny” Krummen, Kevin Michael Coyne, Julie Berkowicz, Kevin M. Gallaher, Benny White and Michael Strick.
No contest for Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners will happen for four 4-year seats up for election as only four individuals—Mike Reilly, Mike King, Bill Eagan and Bobby Carlsen —turned in petitions.
In School District 203, five hopefuls— Kristin W. Fitzgerald, Donna E. Wandke, Charles Cush, Shirley DeCorte and Paul Leong—are running for one of the four 4-year seats. Two candidates, Kristine Gericke and Robert W. Fieseler, Jr., vie to fill the unexpired 2-year term.
In School District 204, eight local residents —Mike Raczak, Laurie Donahue, Vasavi Chakka, Renata Sliva, Cathy Piehl, Susan Taylor Demming, Marlan Brazier and J. Randy Sidio —are running for four 4-year terms.
Naperville Township / Supervisor: (Vote for 1) Rachel Ossyra (R) Eddie Bedford (D)
Township Clerk: (Vote for 1) Barry Greenberg (R) Nathanael Sippel (D)
For (Vote for not more than 4) Township Trustee: Kerry Malm (R), Paul Santucci (R), Jim Ruhl (R), Heather Bejda (R) Loretta Burke (D) Julie Federico (D) John Waller (D) Glenn Jones (D)
Township Highway Commissioner: Stan Wojtasiak (R).
Township Assessor: Warren Dixon III (R).
Lisle Township / Supervisor: (Vote for 1) Richard J. Tarulis ( R) Mary Jo Mullen (D)
Township Clerk: (Vote for 1) Robert J. Klaeren II ( R) Gerald T. Galloway (D)
Township Assessor: (Vote for 1) John D. Trowbridge II ( R)
Township Highway Commissioner: (Vote for 1) Ed Young ( R) Stephen A. Winz (D)
Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Michael A. Tams (R) Michael E. Riedy (R) Jerome “Jerry” Buch (R) Kathleen Chatman (R) Dave Melsbakas (D) Mohammed Waheed (D) Sean Allen (D) Drew Bolda (D)
DuPage Township / Supervisor: (Vote for 1) William M. Mayer ( R) (D)
Township Clerk: (Vote for 1) Patricia Mayoral Stach ( R) (D)
Township Assessor: (Vote for 1) Jean Kelly
Township Collector: (Vote for 1) Gary Hoffman ( R) (D)
Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Dennis Raga, Ken Burgess, Maripat Oliver, Alyssia Benford
Wheatland Township / Supervisor: (Vote for 1) Debra Hoelscher ( R) (D)
Township Clerk: (Vote for 1) Jacob Snitko ( R) (D)
Township Assessor: (Vote for 1) Chuck Kern (R)
Township Highway Commissioner: (Vote for 1) Bill Alstrom ( R) (D)
Township Tax Collector / Cemetery Manager: (Vote for 1) Ben Peterson (R) (D)
Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Jeffrey DeRango (R) Raquel Mitchell (R) Colleen Rotkis(R) Susan Schaller (R) (D) (D) (D) (D)
Township Clerk: (Vote for 1) Nicole M. Prader (R) (D)
Township Assessor: (Vote for 1) Mark W. Mallay (R)
Township Highway Commissioner: (Vote for 1) John S. Dusza ( R) (D)
Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Barbara C. Bernacki Alekna (R) Donald R. Voelz (R) Zachary E. Halley (R) Michael Guglielmi (D) (D) (D) (D)
Milton Township / Supervisor: (Vote for 1) Chris Heidorn ( R) (D)
Township Clerk: (Vote for 1) Gail Peironnet Hinkle ( R) (D)
Township Assessor: (Vote for 1) Chris E. Levan
Township Highway Commissioner: (Vote for 1) Gary L. Muehlfelt ( R) (D)
Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Sal Falbo (R) Martin “Marty” Keller (R) Y. Nick Nathwani (R) David Molitor (R) Brandon Smith (D) Thomas Gramm (D) Bruce C. Fogerty (D) Roz Iaccino (D)
(Note: The City of Naperville is served, in portions, by six townships: Naperville, DuPage, Lisle, Milton, Wheatland and Winfield. Illinois is home to 1,432 townships.)
Binding Question / The ballot in the Consolidated Election on April 4, 2017, will ask voters in Naperville Township and Lisle Township:
“Shall the Naperville Township Road District and the Lisle Township Road District of DuPage County, Illinois, be consolidated into one consolidated Township Road District?” YES or NO
The College of DuPage Board of Trustees has openings to fill two 6-year seats in the county-wide race by petitioners Christine Fenne, of Wheaton; Dan Markwell, of Lombard; Taso Triantafillos, of Addison. One two-year term (unexpired) will be sought by Alan Bennett, of Lombard (No incumbents filed petitions by the deadline on Dec. 19, 2016. After candidates received petition objections, they were omitted from ballot.)
DuPage Township, Lisle Township, Milton Township, Naperville Township, Wheatland Township and Winfield Township as well as both school districts and the College of DuPage serve beyond the city limits of Naperville and will be on the ballot.
At this time, the Consolidated Election has attracted residents running to serve Naperville Township and School District 204 from Naperville and Aurora. No residents from Naperville filed to run for COD.
Attend Meet & Greets to learn the issues in 2017
PN welcomes candidates to provide opportunities to meet them at local free events and/or upcoming fundraisers. It’s our pleasure to post “Meet & Greet the Candidate” events when submitted to stephanie@positivelynaperville.com.
Please note: Official candidate websites also will be linked here at no charge. We do not assume all candidates wish to be linked, so we ask that candidates request the connection as well as submit meet and greet events.
Also note that due to their nature of membership requirements and lack of accessibility to all, social media sites are not considered to be “official” websites by PN. We encourage serious candidates to invest a little thought and time into a website in order to showcase their biographies, platforms and links to social media; easily available for all voters to access around the clock via the internet.
Thank you!
RED DATES below indicate Public Forums likely to be broadcast on cable TV or streaming live as well as public events hosted by organizations featuring all candidates running for the same office.
March 2017
7PM Mon., March 6 / Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation has planned forum date for College of DuPage Board of Trustees in City Council Chambers, 400 S. Eagle St. (Up to 2 hours) NAHC forum will be broadcast on Naperville Public access station WCNC and will also be available for on-line streaming via the city website.
7PM Tues., March 7 / School District 204 Candidate Forum at Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. The forum will be hosted by Indian Prairie Parents’ Council and League of Women Voters and streamed live at www.ipsd.org. The forum also will be available the following day on 204tv.org.
10AM Sat., March 11 / West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Parade in downtown Naperville is always a showcase of fun, frolic and the signs of the time featuring hopefuls running in the Consolidated Election. (State Sen. Connelly and others who represent Naperville in Springfield are not up for election in this current campaign.) Registration for entries is now closed, but spectators are welcome all along the parade route. Support WSI charitable giving to childhood cancer research by purchasing a WSI collectible scarf. Then stay for lunch and spend a little green in support of the local economy. And be an informed voter on April 4. Sláinte!
11:30AM-1PM Mon., March 13 / NACC Legislative Committee – City Council Candidate Forum / Embassy Suites Chicago-Naperville , 1823 Abriter Ct. , Naperville, IL 60563. / Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Please note that walk ins will be accepted as room allows, however, the walk-in rate for Chamber Members is $25 and $35 for future members. For more information, contact Beth Ann DiFranco at (630) 544-3365. Q&A from Monday’s City Council Candidate Forum is linked here.
Above / Eight city council candidates were welcomed by NACC President & CEO Nicki Anderson and Legislative Forum Chairman Jason Nagel, far left, to the Q&A hosted by the Chamber. The candidates, all good sports, can be identified by their names on the tent signs. (March 13, 2017 Photo)
7-8:30PM Mon., March 13 / School District 203 Candidate Forum will be hosted by the League of Women Voters of Naperville, along with a committee consisting of District 203 parents and taxpayers. The forum will be held at Naperville North High School Performing Arts Center, 899 North Mill Street. Seven candidates running for five open seats for the Naperville Community School District 203 school board have been invited to participate. FREE and open to the public, the event schedule will be as follows:
- Candidates will introduce themselves.
- A professional and experienced moderator from the League of Women Voters of Wheaton will ask candidates several questions prepared by the committee prior to the evening.
- Community members will be given an opportunity to submit written questions, which the moderator will deliver to the candidates.
- Candidates will provide closing statements.
Responses to the questionnaire will be compiled into a Voter’s Guide, which will be available after the forum on video.
Above / Candidates Kristine Gericke and Bob Fieseler, at left, are competing for one 2-year term. Five candidates—Shirley DeCorte, Kristin W. Fitzgerald, Charles Cush, Paul Leong and Donna E. Wandke— are vying to fill four 4-year terms. Donna E. Wandke was unable to attend the forum due to a family commitment. (March 13, 2017 Photo)
XXX March 16 / Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation changed this previously scheduled date for School District 203 to Feb. 20. See listing on Feb. 20. Thank you. Due to a prior commitment, PN was unable to attend. Fortunately, the forum led by NAHC moderator Kathy Benson is available (Click Here) online.
^^^^^10AM-11:30AM Sat., March 18 / Kevin Coyne hosts FREE Community Forum at 1504 N. Naper Blvd., Suite 120, to review a variety of senior living topics with a panel of professionals and time for Q&A. Speakers include: Mike Cooper, Owner of the Naperville Senior Center. Cooper will discuss the senior care services his company provides. (Pictured at right are Councilman Kevin Coyne and Mike Cooper who led the enlightening 90-minute discussion regarding how to access, provide and propose services and unmet needs for seniors. The insightful program will be beneficial to all individuals as they age. For instance, did you know? By 2019, 27 percent of Naperville’s 150,000 population is expected to be 55 and over. That’s 42,000 residents.)
Michele Hilger, Monarch Landing. Hilger will review senior housing options offered by her company.
Alan Hoffman, Oasis Senior Advisors. Hoffman will discuss housing options for seniors in the Naperville area and discuss how his company assists families.
Jim Hill and Karen Courney, Naperville Senior Task Force. Hill and Courney will offer information about what this newly-formed task force is doing for seniors and detail a new ride program (RAN) for seniors.
Please RSVP to kevin@coyneforcouncil.org.
^^^^^1PM Sat., March 18 / City Council Forum hosted by Naperville Indian Community Outreach. The moderators will be Vandana Jhingan and Viral Shah. The forum will feature the eight candidates running for City Council in the Consolidated Election on April 4. For more information, contact Krishna Bansal at kbansal@indiancommunityoutreach.org. The informative forum was videotaped and soon will be available streaming online. Stay tuned.
5:30-7PM, Mon., March 20 / Fundraiser for City Council Candidate Kevin Coyne at Empire, located at 48 W. Chicago Ave. All are welcome to join Kevin Coyne with special guest Naperville Township Supervisor Rachel Ossyra, also running for reelection. Included in remarks will be the Township consolidation initiative (Binding question on the ballot on April 4) of which Ossyra and Coyne are proponents. Councilman Coyne will discuss his candidacy and goals as he heads into his second term. Comments will begin at approximately 6PM. Cost is $25 per person, one drink ticket included. RSVP to kevin@coyneforcouncil.org. Find more info HERE. Note! Donations can be made online at www.coyneforcouncil.org/donate/ or mailed to: Citizens to Elect Kevin Coyne, 1708 Chalmette Court, Naperville, IL 60565.
7-9PM Wed., March 22 / Naperville City Council Candidates Forum hosted by League of Women Voters of Naperville, Illinois. Public welcome to Council Chambers, 400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, IL. According to the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Lotte Scharfman is credited with coining the often repeated phrase, Democracy is not a spectator sport. Scharfman, a refugee of Hitler’s Germany, was an advocate and president of the League of Women Voters back in the 1960s.
5:30-7PM Thurs., March 23 / Rally to the Finish Line as Judy Brodhead, candidate for City Council, hosts a fundraiser at Empire Burgers and Brew on Thursday, March 23. Empire is located at 48 W. Chicago Ave. in downtown Naperville.
Early Voting for Consolidated Election now in progress
February 23, 2017 / First day for mailing or delivery of absentee ballot.
March 7, 2017 / Last day for voter registration or transfer of registration. To register to vote, provide two forms of identification, one of which should show your current name and address. Present to City Clerk’s Office, City of Naperville, 400 S. Eagle Street.
March 8, 2017 / First day for grace period registration and grace period voting.
March 20, 2017 / First day for early voting at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
April 3, 2017 / Last day for early voting at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
Consolidated Election Day / April 4
April 4, 2017 / Polls open 6AM to 7PM.
This page will be updated regularly during the final month of the 2017 Consolidated Campaign.
Thanks to all who are “Off and Running.” Have a good race.
Local Endorsements
The Editors of Positively Naperville have never endorsed candidates. We simply urge residents to be informed voters as we aim to send them to the polls every Election Day, high on our list of important local events.
Daily Herald Editorial Board Endorsements / Feb. 28, 2017
Daily Herald Editorial Board Endorsement for College of DuPage / March 12, 2017
Daily Herald Editorial Board Endorsement for School District 204 Board / March 19, 2017
Naperville Area Chamber Political Action Committee (NACPAC) Endorsements / Link coming soon. Candidates endorsed by NACPAC for City Council and Boards of Education in District 203 and District 204 were notified on March 2, 2017. NACPAC endorsed: Kevin Coyne, Mike Isaac and Benny White for 4-year terms Council; Robert Fieseler for 2-year and Kristin W. Fitzgerald, Donna E. Wandke, Shirley DeCorte and Charles Cush for 4-year terms in School District 203; Cathy Piehl, Vasivi Chakka, Susan Taylor Demming and Laurie Donahue for 4-year terms in School District 204.
(Note that NACPAC is independent of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. The NACC is a nonpartisan organization that does not endorse candidates.)
Originally Posted March 5, 2017 / Updated on March 6, March 7, March 12, March 17, March 18 / (Remember! Websites are linked upon request by candidates. PN is happy to post “Candidate Meet & Greet” opportunities. Thanks for thinking of PN.)