Here’s hoping all candidates running to serve Naperville constituents are prepared to cross all bridges to connect the community to campaigns filled with thoughtful solutions for smart public policy, fiscal responsibility, kindness and goodwill. (Photo updated March 7, 2021)
This page features hopefuls for City Council, local school boards, Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners, College of DuPage Board of Trustees as well as candidates for all six townships that serve sections of Naperville.
We appreciate the large number of candidates who want to serve this community and the thoughtful Q&As they have sent for PN to publish online.
Late on Feb. 22, PN launched its 2021 Election Guide, complete with candidate profiles and photos. Thanks for taking a little time to get to know all the candidates before voting. Many local media sites also will provide opportunities for candidate Q&A. Compare them all.
Early voting began Thurs., Feb. 25, 40 days prior to Consolidated Election Day, April 6. As everyone has learned this past year, lots can change from day to day. And in-person voting is the most trusted. Early Voting in person at Naperville locations began March 22.
Stay tuned, be informed and remember polls will be open from 6AM to 7PM on Election Day, Tues., April 6.
“Meet & Greet” opportunities and public forums were posted as received, but are now deleted since they’re behind us. Omissions are not intentional, and errors are regretted mistakes.
—PN
Consolidated Election Day (click) Polls open 6AM-7PM Tues., April 6
Local elections matter most…
Be prepared to vote where it matters most—locally. Vote in your hometown where you can meet, greet and get to know candidates who make decisions with the biggest impact on Naperville—including budgets supported by local taxes. Become familiar with elected officials up close, whenever possible, practicing local protocols. Thank you.
Remember! Follow local protocols to remain safe. Wear a mask. Keep your distance. Wash your hands often, but never, ever wash away your commonsense.
Take time to be an educated voter for Naperville
Thanks for reading and paying attention. Examine skill sets of all the hopefuls who aim to serve. Talk with other residents about the upcoming election. This page will be updated throughout the campaign season with opportunities to follow the Consolidated Election.
In Naperville, in-person voting began on March 22, providing plenty of time to be informed by multiple candidate Q&As, virtual forums, etc., before heading to the polls.
We wonder why some folks want to vote-by-mail nearly a month early. Why vote early when campaign season is just beginning to showcase all candidates in the best light?
Polls are open from 6AM to 7PM on Election Day, Tues., April 6.
Meet & Greet the Candidates…
All local candidates are welcome to provide “meet and greet” event information. Considering current conditions and limitations that come with hosting events this campaign season, we aim to help promote some creative ways to get to know the candidates as we try to get the vote out by the end of polling hours on Election Day, April 6, 2021.
On March 28, 2021, in order to make reading this page more efficient, your PN editors deleted dozens of posted meet & greet events that now are local history.
Up Next!
March 22 – April 5 / Early In-Person Voting is now in progress at Naperville locations for DuPage County and Will County. Do you know the candidates and the local issues? Have you watched recent public meetings to see what’s expected of city council members, park district commissioners and/or school board members? Be sure to take a little time to visit PN’s Election Guide Q&A and get to know all the choices. Scroll down this page for names of all candidates on the ballot.
Vote for the most-qualified candidates running to serve four years. Most governing bodies in this Consolidated Election have four seats to fill. It’s OK to “under-vote” for only qualified candidates you know will serve you well. Under-votes count. “Over-votes,” however, will not count. Make sure all your votes count for the future of Naperville, its schools and its parks.
Update, March 11, 2021 / From now through March 31, 2021, only nonpartisan public events are welcome to be posted here. PN online posts are free of charge.
Note also that PN does not solicit political advertising nor endorse candidates on our website or in print. Candidates contacted us and all advertising dollars are appreciated to help pay for buckets of ink, large rolls of newsprint, delivery services, website features and all the other expenses that come with running a small, independent family business.
All 39 candidates were contacted to participate in PN’s Q&A for the Election Guide. We appreciate their participation, too. Their answers to our questions provided our opinions. As independent small-business owners, we are grateful.
Visit PN’s Voters Guide early and often where info is included about polling places for early voting and Election Day. Find City Council candidate profiles with other Q&As from candidates running to serve local school boards and Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners.
All other hopefuls are welcome to send links to their websites. At this time, Q&A is not planned by PN for COD or Township elections. Thanks for your interest!
Candidates / **Unofficial Victors
Naperville City Council
City of Naperville Mission: To provide services that ensure a high quality of life, sound fiscal management, and a dynamic business environment, while creating an inclusive community that values diversity.
Eleven (11) candidates are running to serve one of the four 4-year seats up for election on the 9-member Naperville City Council that includes the mayor. Candidates in ballot order are Paul Leong**, John Krummen, Vasavi Chakka, James Haselhorst, Ian Holzhauer**, Jennifer Bruzan Taylor**, Allison Longenbaugh, Vincent Ory, Lucy Chang Evans, Mark Urda and Benny White**. Note: The next mayoral election is 2023.
Since February 4, 2021, a link to City Council Candidate Profiles on the 2021 Election Guide has been available on this website. Other profiles for other elections were added in late February. Website links throughout this page have been linked upon request. (Assumptions are not made that candidates wish to be linked.) Thanks for requests to be included and for reading. Consolidated Election Day, April 6, 2021, will be here before you know it.
Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners
Naperville Park District Mission: We provide recreation and park experiences that promote healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community.
The following eight (8) hopefuls filed petitions to run for one of the four 4-year seats on the 7-member Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners: Lee Kaseska, Nag Jaiswal, Mary Gibson**, Leslie Ruffing**, Rhonda Ansier, Alison Thompson**, Nathan Wilson and Mike King**.
Naperville School District 203 Board of Education
Mission Statement: Our mission is to educate students to be self-directed learners, collaborative workers, complex thinkers, quality producers, and community contributors.
Nine (9) hopefuls are running to serve one of four 4-year seats on the School District 203 Board of Education. They are Donna E. Wandke**, Kristin W. Fitzgerald**, Amanda McMillen**, Charles Cush**, Christi Helm, Thomas Andrew Binkowski, Robert M. Reed, Adam Russo and William Bernard Eagan, III.
FYI: No one filed to run for the two-year term, a position created when vacated by a former board member. However, 32 residents applied to serve the vacant seat in advance of the election, a decision expected to be made by the 203 Board by March 1, 2021.
Update, March 2, 2021 / The Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Board of Education approved the appointment of Anthony (Tony) Casey at the March 1, 2021 meeting. The term will be up for election in 2023. The announcement with a bio is featured on the News section at the Naperville School District 203 website.
Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education
Mission Statement: The mission of Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 is to inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential.
Eleven (11) candidates have filed for one of the four 4-year seats on the School District 204 Board of Education: Marina Kosak, Saba Haider, Allison Fosdick**, Rajesh Narayan, Kader Sakkaria, Laurie Donahue**, Supna C. Jain**, Shannon Adcock, Yanmei May Liang, Susan Taylor-Demming** and Robert O. Harris.
College of DuPage Board of Trustees
Mission Statement: The mission of College of DuPage is to be a center for excellence in teaching, learning, and cultural experiences by providing accessible, affordable, and comprehensive education.
Eight (8) candidates have filed for three (3) seats on the Board of Trustees. All seats are for full six-year terms. Candidates and their city of residence are Florence Appel**, Lombard; Heidi Holan**, Glen Ellyn; Don Potoczny**, Naperville; Sheng “Texä” Sun, Lisle; Andrew Richard Manno, Aurora; Daniel Malloy, LaGrange; Nick Howard, Glen Ellyn; Deborah Sajdak**, Glen Ellyn. (Still tabulating up and down in a close call. Pay attention to asterisks to be updated with final results as they come.)
Note that PN will link official candidate websites (not social media sites) upon request by the candidate or campaign associate.
Six Townships serve Naperville
Naperville Township / DuPage County
Mission Statement: We are committed to listening to and evaluating the needs of the public and shall provide services, which are responsive to the health, safety and general welfare of the entire township.
Naperville Township Supervisor (Vote for 1) Lynda Segneri, Republican; Eddie G. Bedford, Democratic.
Naperville Township Clerk (Vote for 1) Barbara Lukoff, Republican; Nathanael Sippel, Democratic.
Naperville Township Assessor (Vote for 1) Matthew R. Rasche, Republican; Gary J. Vician, Republican (No Candidate, Democratic)
Naperville Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Paul J. Santucci, Republican; Thomas J. Laz, Republican; Gabby Serna, Republican; Bill Breyne, Republican; Loretta T. Burke, Democratic; John C. Waller, Democratic; Julie Federico, Democratic.
Lisle Township / DuPage County
Lisle Township / It is our duty to use your tax dollars wisely and in the most cost efficient manner possible. The Township fills a specific need within our communities that other units of government – like cities, villages, the County and State – do not.
Lisle Township Supervisor (Vote for 1) Robert J. Klaeren II, Republican; Diane Hewitt, Democratic.
Lisle Township Clerk (Vote for 1) Debbie Pawlowicz, Republican; Claire Goldenberg, Democratic.
Lisle Township Assessor (Vote for 1) John D. Trowbridge II, Republican; No Candidate, Democratic.
Lisle Township Highway Commissioner (Vote for 1) Ed Young, Republican; Andrew E. (Drew) Bolda, Democratic.
Lisle Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Anthony “Tony” Signorella, Republican; Kitty Murphy, Republican; Christy McGovern, Republican; Scott M. Silver, Republican; John DeCanto, Democratic; Lisa M. Rose, Democratic; Jean Page, Democratic; Autumn Geist, Democratic.
Milton Township / DuPage County
Mission Statement / The purpose of the Milton Township S.A.L.T. Council is to determine and meet the needs of senior citizens by reducing crime and abuse and enhancing safety through communication and education in cooperation with the Township, law enforcement, and other community agencies and organizations.
Milton Township Supervisor (Vote for 1) Stephen Siemer, Democratic; John Monino, Republican.
Milton Township Clerk (Vote for 1) Elizabeth F. Higgins-Beard, Democratic; Nick Nathwani, Republican.
Milton Township Assessor (Vote for 1) No Candidate, Democratic; Chris E. LeVan, Republican.
Milton Township Highway Commissioner (Vote for 1) No Candidate, Democratic; Gary Muehlfelt. Republican.
Milton Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Larry Pitts, Democratic; Susan Cain, Democratic; Bruce C. Fogerty, Democratic; Paul Mansour, Democratic; Dan Milinko, Republican; Jeff Castle, Republican; Drew Ellis, Republican; Joe Soto, Republican.
Winfield Township / DuPage County
Winfield Township Supervisor (Vote for 1) Nicole Prater, Republican; Maury Goodman, Democratic.
Winfield Township Clerk (Vote for 1) Michael W. Guglielmi, Republican; No Candidate, Democratic.
Winfield Township Assessor (Vote for 1) Mark Malay, Republican; No Candidate, Democratic.
Winfield Township Highway Commissioner (Vote for 1) John S. Dusza, Republican; No Candidate, Democratic.
Winfield Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Barbara C. Bernacki Alekna, Republican; Zachary E. Halley, Republican; Michael Konewko, Republican; Donald R. Voelz, Republican; Shawn Patrick Hacker, Democratic; Judith M. Lukas, Democratic.
DuPage Township / Will County
Mission Statement / DuPage Township in partnership with the community, and through the efforts of dedicated employees and elected officials, will provide township services in an efficient and effective manner in order to preserve and enhance the quality of life for our residents. We are committed to evaluating the needs of the public and shall provide services, which are responsive to the health, safety and general welfare of the community.
DuPage Supervisor (Vote for 1) Alyssia Benford, Republican; Gary Marschke, Democratic.
DuPage Clerk (Vote for 1) Deborah Williams, Republican; Barbara Ann Parker, Democratic.
DuPage Assessor (Vote for 1) Jean Kelly, Republican; Kenneth Harris, Democratic.
DuPage Collector (Vote for 1) Enrique Luis Veguilla, Republican; Monty C. Jackson, Democratic.
Trustee (Vote for 4) Monte Larrick, Republican; Dennis R. Raga, Republican; Antonio Luis Timothee, Republican; Teaquicia (Tea) Ward, Republican; Thomas E. Braxton, Democratic; Debra “Debi” Savage, Democratic; Reem Townsend, Democratic; Terri Ransom, Democratic.
Wheatland Township / Will County
Wheatland Township Commitment / It is the elected board’s commitment to honest, respectable, and transparent governance for the people of this Wheatland Township.
Wheatland Supervisor (Vote for 1) Jeff Kohl, Republican; Michael Crowner, Democratic.
Wheatland Clerk (Vote for 1) Jacab Snitko, Republican; Anita S. Liskey, Democratic.
Wheatland Assessor (Vote for 1) Chuck Kern, Republican.
Wheatland Highway Commissioner (Vote for 1) Bill Alstrom, Republican; Thomas Wieser, Democratic.
Wheatland Collector (Vote for 1) David J. Scriven-Young, Republican; Arian Ahmadpour, Democratic.
Wheatland Trustee (Vote For 4) Gregory C. Nichols, Republican; Colleen M. Rotkis, Republican; Wendell Harkins, Republican; Meghna Bansal, Republican; Kelly Hickey, Democratic; Khadija Sufi, Democratic; Terry Jones, Democratic; Steven Baun, Democratic.
Note that PN will link official candidate websites (not social media sites) upon request by the candidate or campaign associate.
Again…Local elections matter most…
Be prepared to vote where it matters most—locally. Vote where you can meet, greet and get to know candidates who make decisions with the biggest impact on Naperville—including budgets supported by local taxes. Become familiar with elected officials up close, whenever possible, practicing local protocols. Thank you.
Remember! Follow local protocols to remain safe. Wear a mask. Keep your distance. Wash your hands often, but never, ever wash away your commonsense.
Thanks for reading and paying attention. Examine skill sets of all the hopefuls who aim to serve. Talk with other residents about the upcoming election. This page will be updated throughout the campaign season and until Election Day, Tues., April 6!
Early in-person voting begins March 22
Visit PN’s Voters Guide early and often where info is included about polling places for early voting and Election Day. Currently, City Council candidate profiles as well as Q&A from candidates running to serve local school boards and Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners are posted.
All other hopefuls are welcome to send links to their websites. At this time, Q&A is not planned by PN for COD or Township elections. Thanks for your interest!
Posted Feb. 9, 2021 / We regret any errors or omissions.
New photo featuring the Webster Street Covered bridge was added March 7. / Folks have wondered why flags in Naperville are flying at half-mast. Until further notice, United States and Illinois flags are flying at half-mast in remembrance of all who have died from COVID-19 in the Land of Lincoln.
Post Last Updated, April 6, 2021.
