Above / Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis, Sister City Commissioner Sophia Lu, SCC Arista Leong, SSC City Council Liaison Patty Gustin, Mayor Steve Chirico, SCC Vasavi Chakka, (slightly hidden) Cancun Fire Chief Thomas Hurtado Morris, and Sister Cities Commission Vice-Chairman Alan Lowe met in late May when Cancun, México, officially became a Naperville Sister City. (Photo by Ryan Rey)
More than a year ago, the Naperville City Council voted unanimously at its April 21, 2020, meeting to add Cancun, México, as Naperville’s third Sister City.
On May 27, 2021, the Cancun Fire Chief Thomas Hurtado Morris delivered the formal documentation to Mayor Steve Chirico, establishing the Sister City partnership between Cancun and Naperville. Cancun become the third one.
What are Sister Cities?
Founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Sister Cities International was envisioned as a way for U.S. cities to create formal partnerships with foreign cities. Municipality-to-municipality, person-to-person relationships could exchange information, ideas and travel opportunities in order to develop friendships and deepen cultural understanding.
In Naperville, the Sister Cities Commission was established in 1993, creating its first Sister Cities relationship with Nitra, Slovkia. Designed to create greater understanding and lasting friendships, regular exchanges between Naperville and Nitra were frequent and highly publicized.
In 2010, Pátzcuaro, México became Naperville second Sister City, supporting the goals of the Sister Cities Program with additional opportunities for cultural exploration. The program also provides economic development and trade opportunities; opening conversations to creatively learn, work and solve problems together.
Councilwoman Patty Gustin, liaison to the Sister Cities Commission, considers the Sister Cities partnerships important in connecting Naperville’s citizens to the larger global community. She noted Naperville had submitted the letter to designate Cancun, México, as a Naperville Sister City after unanimous support from the Naperville City Council in April 2020.
Sister City Partnership Agreement
Look for commemorative Sister City Parkways
When traveling around Naperville, road signs recognize the city’s first two Sister Cities.
For information about Naperville Sister Cities that include Nitra, Slovakia, and Pátzcuaro, México, and now Cancun, México, visit www.naperville.il.us and search “Sister Cities.” Watch for Cancun to have its commemorative way, too.
