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GOTV to achieve GOAT Consolidated Election Turnout on April 4, 2023

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Above / Help “get out the vote” to achieve the “greatest of all times” Consolidated Election turnout. Vote in person at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. Simply follow the signs.

Update, April 5, 2023 / Many thanks to all candidates, campaign workers and voters who participated in fair and local races during the nonpartisan Consolidated Election on April 4. The unofficial results in name only are posted below. Click here for unofficial tally of results in the City Council nonpartisan election.

Unofficial Results – Unless otherwise noted, all terms are four years. Results will be “Official” 21days after the Elections and after canvassing on Tues., April 25, 2023.

Naperville Mayor: Scott Wehrli

Humbled by the outpouring of support from family, friends and neighbors since launching his campaign for Mayor of Naperville on July 29, Mayor-elect Scott Wehrli was surrounded by his two children and wife Lynda during thoughtful acknowledgment of his victory at Empire Burgers & Brew in downtown Naperville. The new Mayor and Naperville City Council will be sworn in on Sun., May 7. 

Naperville City Council: Patrick Kelly, Allison Longenbaugh, Josh McBroom and Nate Wilson 

School District 203 Board of Education: Joe Kozminski, Kristine Gericke, and Melissa Kelly Black.

School District 204 Board of Education: Mark Rising, Justin Karubas and and Catey Genc

Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners: Rich Janor, Christopher Jacks and John Risvold

College of DuPage Board of Trustees (Six-year term): Christine M. Fenne and Andrew R. Manno 

Local elections always matter most…

Looking forward, Naperville City Council meets at 7PM Tues., April 5. Mayor Steve Chirico and the current City Council have two more regular meetings in this term. Thanks to all for giving to this community. Mayor Chirico has been appreciated for running tight meetings and Councilman Paul Hinterlong has been exemplary during his 14 years of dedicated service. Click here for the April 5, 2023, City Council agenda under “Upcoming Events.”

Five members of the new City Council Council will take their oaths of office on Sun., May 7, 2023.

Thanks to everyone who voted where it matters most—locally. This year’s election cycle provided an abundance of opportunities and public forums where voters could meet, greet and get to know candidates who now will make decisions with the biggest impact on Naperville. Become familiar with elected officials, public policies and budgets up close. Attend public meetings or watch saved meetings in the archives of the City, school districts or Naperville Park District. Thank you.

Be energized always with knowledge that locally-elected officials are the ones that impact your life the most in a community of residents who strive to sustain a safe and well-managed city. Keep tabs on all elected officials by watching public meetings saved in the archives of governing bodies. Be informed by Consolidated Election Day, April 8, 2025!

Alert! Update April 4, 2023…Remember! / This is the first consolidated election in DuPage County where ballots will be 100 percent paper. DuPage County is providing optimum access to DuPage’s 610,000 voters, including Vote-by-Mail, Permanent Vote-by-Mail, more Early Voting locations, and 273 polling places on Election Day, April 4, with the option to vote anywhere. Remind other DuPage County voters regarding the change to vote at any precinct on Election Day! Already, PN has been receiving inquiries from voters unable to find their usual voting location.

If you plan to vote in person at the Naperville Municipal Center and you’re directed to the lower level for DuPage County residents, look for Glenn, the Tech in charge. Tell him you saw him in Positively Naperville. Thanks for being an educated voter! (PN Photo)

Look for signs. Vote today, Election Day, Tues., April 4.

DuPage County voters cast ballots in the lower level of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. Will County voters go to City Clerk’s area on main floor.

Now thru April 4, 2023 / 2023 Nonpartisan Consolidated Election Reminder / From Naperville City Council to the Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners and School District 203 to School District 204 Boards of Education and to College of DuPage Board of Trustees, time has arrived to become familiar with important dates during this nonpartisan election campaign as well as the names and qualifications of all candidates running to serve local governing bodies…

Remember! / This is the first consolidated election in DuPage County where ballots will be 100 percent paper. DuPage County is providing optimum access to DuPage’s 610,000 voters, including Vote-by-Mail, Permanent Vote-by-Mail, more Early Voting locations, and 273 polling places on Election Day, April 4, with the option to vote anywhere.

Now / This online publication welcomes all candidates to list meet and greet events and fundraisers as well as forums that are open to the public. Calendar events will be added as received upon request from sponsoring organization or candidate. All interest is appreciated. Check back often!

Thanks, Voters, for taking time to watch forums and become acquainted with all candidates before heading to the polls.

***Public meetings for regularly scheduled governmental bodies always are enlightening to watch when elected officials represent the community. Watch and learn before voting.

Now / The following highlighted governing bodies are linked to online posts on official websites where the public can observe past meetings saved in archives:

Naperville City Council

Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners 

Naperville Unit School District 203 Board of Education

Indian Prairie Unit School District 204 Board of Education

Naperville Nonpartisan Consolidated Election Events

Online Forums hosted by Senior Task Force and Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation

Round 1 / Jan. 31, 2023

Eleven City Council candidates were available for the first of two  public forums hosted by Mark Wright, far right. From left are Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, Ashley South, Meghna Bansal, Pat Kelly, Allison Longenbaugh, Nate Wilson, Ashfaq Syed, Madhu Uppal, Josh McBroom, Jodi Trendler and Nag Jaiswal. (PN Photo)

Round 1 includes introductions to all 11 City Council candidates. Note the 2-minute introductory bios of every candidate at the beginning. 

NAHC and Senior Task Force City Council Candidate Forum

Round 2 / Feb. 28, 2023

On April 4, 2023, four seats for City Council members and one seat for Naperville Mayor will be decided for the nine-member Naperville City Council. Three seats on local school boards, park district board of commissioners and COD board of trustees also will be filled. Meanwhile, take a little time to get to know the candidates before heading to the polls. Early in-person voting begins March 20, 2023, at the Naperville Municipal Center.

During Round 2, instead of introductions, the hopefuls were given time at the end to wrap up their campaigns so far. 

City Council Forum hosted by Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation and Senior Task Force

March 2023

Now thru Election Day / NCTV-17 launched its Naperville Election 2023 Candidates in early February / Watch the series of Liz Spencer interviews as she welcomes in the studio all the candidates running in the nonpartisan Consolidated Election on April 4, 2023. For more info: visit www.nctv17.org.

In case you missed it… March 9, 2023 / Mayor’s Annual State of the City Address / For details with a little history and photos of previous Naperville Mayors, click here. Hosted by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, this Signature Event was held at the Wentz Concert Hall. The City of Naperville sent the text to the Mayor’s “Farewell Address,” now featured with PN photos at this link. 

Round 3 / March 14, 2023

Scott Wehrli, Tiffany Stephens, Pablo Araya and Benny White after the Mayoral Candidates Public Forum. 

The Mayoral Candidate Forum includes introductions and closing remarks by all three hopefuls.

Mayoral Candidates Public Forum hosted by Senior Task Force and Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation / 7PM Tues., March 14, Council Chambers. Pablo Araya served as moderator when Tiffany Stephens, Scott Wehrli and Benny White participated live from the dais. (PN assisted sponsoring organizations to present/promote this event.) The three candidates for Naperville Mayor to serve on the 9-member City Council and approximately 95 spectators attended this public forum held at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. Public was welcome to attend. The forum was broadcast live on the City’s Government Access TV, then rebroadcast on NCTV-17. The link to the forum is featured below this commentary.

NAHC and Senior Task Force Mayoral Candidate Forum

Early Voting is now in progress

UPDATE! At approximately 2PM Mon., March 20, 2023, City Manager Doug Krieger said voting had been steady at the DuPage County and Will County polling places at City Hall. Downstairs the Election Tech said 125 DuPage County voters had cast ballots in the Consolidated Election. 

***March 20, 2023 / Early In-person Voting begins 15 days prior to Nonpartisan Consolidated Election Day. Happy 1st Day of Spring!

Mail-in or early in-person voting is important for 2023 since spring breaks happen at the end of March through the beginning of April.

Naperville residents in DuPage County and Will County can vote early at the Naperville Municipal Center. Hours are daily, March 20 through April 3, posted for in-person voting for voters who will be away on April 4.

DuPage County Voters / 8:30AM to 7PM Monday – Friday and 9AM to 5PM Saturday – Sunday / Now through April 3.

DuPage County Voters also can vote early (same times) at Islamic Center of Naperville, 25W530 75th Street and Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center, Aurora, IL.

Will County Voters / Now through April 3.

  • 9AM to Noon Saturday, March 25
  • 10AM to 4PM Sunday, March 26
  • 8:30AM to 7PM Monday – Friday, March 27 to March 31
  • 9AM to 3PM Saturday, April 1
  • 10AM to 4PM Sunday, April 2
  • 8:30AM to 7PM Monday, April 3
  • DuPage County residents can vote early in the Media Room of the Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton; visit dupageco.org/election for details. 

Will County residents also can vote early at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr. and at the Will County Clerk’s Office, 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet. For more info, visit thewillcountyclerk.com/elections/early-voting for details.

Calendar of Upcoming Meet & Greet Opportunities

Now through March 31, 2023 / Meet Ron Amato, Candidate for 203 Board of Education, for Coffee. Ronald Amato, candidate for School District 203 Board of Education, wants to meet, listen and learn from citizens who live in School District 203. To arrange a coffee date, time permitting, voters are encouraged to contact him at amatofor203@gmail.com. For more info: visit Ronald Amato.

Simply watch the March 21, 2023, meeting saved in the City’s archive to see the large audience when the City Council meeting began and most seats in Council Chambers were filled. By the end of the meeting when “New Business” was on the agenda and this photo was taken from the back of the room, not so much. (PN Photo, March 21, 2023)

***LEFTOVER UPDATE, March 21, 2023 / Silly Season was surprised by supposedly independent PAC mailer on March 10, 2023 / A PAC called “Naperville Forward” sent a mailer to thousands of local households promoting a slate of 12 candidates. By omission, the carefully-worded piece implies that more than half of the 27 candidates running in the current local Consolidated Election aim to “ban books,” a claim that is not the case.  A monthly column, “Looking Beyond Campaign Ads,” written by Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Public Affairs Beth Goncher in the March edition of PN and now online (click here), reminds readers to be wise and to know the facts. Thanks for being an educated voter. On Tues., March 21, this “Naperville Forward” initiative was addressed by three candidates during “Public Forum” along with a variety of other local concerns expressed by a long list of local residents signed up to speak for three minutes each. Then “Naperville Forward” was called out by Mayor Steve Chirico. The Mayor later brought up the mailer under “New Business” at the March 21 City Council meeting. We aim to avoid hearsay, soundbites and social media. Click here for the video link to the straight scoop and watch the Mon., March 21, 2023, meeting on the City’s website.

Now until Election Day / Meet Gilbert Wagner, candidate for School District 203 Board of Education. This opportunity is an open invite. Now till the election time! Gilbert Wagner, candidate for School District 203 Board of Education would like to meet with you to discuss thoughts on District 203. To arrange a meet and greet, contact Gilbert Wagner at wagnerfordistrict203@gmail.com. For more info: visit Gilbert Wagner.

March 26 / City Council Candidate Meghna Bansal “Day of Action” from 12:45PM to 3PM Sun., March 26, 2023 / Join Meghna Bansal at 750 Shoreline Dr, Aurora, IL 60504, and walk for couple of hours as a team and knock on doors and talk with voters. We’ll have brief training/prep talk before we go out, and pizza/refreshments when we’re done! For more info: visit Meghna Bansal.

March 28 / ‘Ask Scott Wehrli’ Meet & Greet Event at Rosie’s Diner / Hosted by Karen and Mitch Johnston, Mayoral Candidate Scott Wehrli will share his ideas on how to keep Naperville moving forward from 6:30 to 8:30PM Tues., March 28. Join us at Rosie’s Diner, located at 1567 N. Aurora Road (Old Dominick’s Shopping Center). Walk-ins welcome. Kindly RSVP by March 26, if possible, to Mitch at mjohnston.mj84@gmail.com. For more info, visit scottwehrli.com.

March 30 / Scott Wehrli ‘Get Out the Vote’ Event / Join friends at 6:30PM Thurs., March 30, at the VFW, 908 W. Jackson Avenue, to gear up for Election Day and rally in support of Scott Wehrli for Naperville Mayor. For more info, visit scottwehrli.com.

April 2023

April 3 / District 203 Board of Education Meeting / NCUSD 203 Board of Education Meeting is set for 7PM Mon., April 3.  Details: go.boarddocs.com/il/naperville203/Board.nsf/vpublic?open / Note that the meeting will be held at 203 District Administration Building, 203 W. Hillside Road.

***Election Day / Polls open 6AM to 7PM Tues., April 4***

Alert! Regularly scheduled Naperville City Council meeting is postponed from 7PM April 4 to April 5, same time, same place.

Voter Information for DuPage County / Register to Vote & More

Voter Information for Will County / Register to Vote & Voter-Services

***Naperville nonpartisan Consolidated Election features 27 hopefuls running to serve

Official candidate websites (not social media) are linked to this website by personal candidate request or receipt of press release. Thanks to all candidates for throwing their hats into the ring. Former candidates, winners as well as losers, have told us more than once that campaigning—getting to know the community and meeting potential voters—is a most rewarding experience.

We are grateful to live in a community where every empty seat on the Naperville City Council, Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners and both school boards has a candidate running to fill it.

***Watch how locally elected officials govern

The following highlighted governing bodies are linked to online posts on official websites where the public can observe past meetings saved in archives:

Naperville City Council

Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners 

Naperville Unit School District 203 Board of Education

Indian Prairie Unit School District 204 Board of Education

Watch upcoming meetings as they stream live, too. Note also in photos below that the sun really does shine in Naperville. —PN

Naperville City Council

City Council meetings are held at the Naperville Municipal Center located at 400 S. Eagle Street. Meetings are regularly scheduled at 7PM on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. Meetings also are saved for review in the City archive at naperville.il.us.

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.

Naperville Mayor / Three candidates listed in ballot order are Benny White, Scott Wehrli and Tiffany Stephens, are vying for the four-year seat of Naperville Mayor on the Naperville City Council. 

Naperville City Council Members / Eleven candidates currently are vying for four four-year seats on the Naperville City Council. Listed here in ballot order are Nag Jaiswal, Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, Josh McBroom, Jodi Trendler, Patrick Kelly, Nathan “Nate” Wilson, Ashfaq Syed, Meghna Bansal, Ashley South, Allison Longenbaugh, and Madhu Uppal.

Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners

Naperville Park District Board Meetings are held at Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive. The Board meets at 7PM on the second Thursday of each month and at 6:30PM the fourth Thursday of each month. Note: A second meeting in December is not held and sometimes meetings are canceled with advance notice.

Naperville Park District Mission: We provide recreation and park experiences that promote healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community.

Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners / By Dec. 12, 2022, four candidates had turned in petition packets to serve three four-year seats on the NPD Board of Commissioners. Candidates are Christopher Jacks, John Risvold, Rich Janor and Mahboube “Michelle” Haghighi.

Naperville School District 203 Board of Education

Naperville School District 203 hosts board meetings at 203 W. Hillside Road at Webster. Find meeting dates listed at https://www.naperville203.org/Page/1214.

Mission Statement: Our mission is to educate students to be self-directed learners, collaborative workers, complex thinkers, quality producers, and community contributors.

School District 203 / By Dec. 12, 2022, six candidates had turned in petition packets to run for three four-year seats on the 203 BOE. Candidates are Joe Kozminski, Kristine Gericke, Barbara Higg, Gilbert Wagner, Ronald Amato and Melissa Kelly Black.

Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education

School District 204 hosts board meetings at 780 Shoreline Drive in Aurora. Find meeting dates listed at https://board.ipsd.org/Meetings.aspx.

Mission Statement: The mission of Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 is to inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential.

School District 204 / By Dec. 12, 2022, three candidates had turned in petition packets to run for three four-year seats on the 204 BOE. Candidates are Justin Karubas, Mark Rising and Catey Genc. Though no contest will be needed here, it’s important to watch school board meetings and get to know the issues and the candidates.

College of DuPage Board of Trustees

Mission Statement: The mission of the College of DuPage Foundation is to obtain and steward contributions to expand educational and cultural opportunities for the College of DuPage Community.

The main campus of College of DuPage is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. COD Centers also are located in Addison, Carol Stream, Naperville and Westmont.

College of DuPage Board of Trustees / Three candidates are running to fill two six-year seats. Candidates are Haroon Atcha, Christine M. Fenne and Andrew R. Manno. Candidate information and official documents are available on the Illinois State Board of Elections website: www.elections.il.gov.

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. Become familiar with elected officials, public policies and budgets up close. Attend public meetings or watch saved meetings in the archives of the City, school districts or Naperville Park District. Thank you.

Many residents still claim to have voter fatigue. Some residents have asked, “When is the election?

If you’re in that condition, rest up! Be energized with knowledge that locally elected officials are the ones that impact your life the most. All eligible voters are urged to get to know the candidates, their qualifications and their commitment to community service in Naperville. Be informed by Consolidated Election Day, April 4, 2023.

Thanks for reading and paying attention. PN will begin focusing on the issues identified by readers beginning in late March and through the election. A number of opinions from readers can be found here.

The April 2023 issue of PN is now available at more than 25 locations around town. Pick up a copy and read the centerfold for a list of candidates.  The April 2023 issue began circulation on Wed., March 29. Thanks for reading! No fooling.

Post last updated, April 4, 2023.

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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