Local elections matter most!

Updated Naperville Voter’s Guide / March 2025

Update, March 18, 2025 / Early Voting is now in progress, 8AM to 7PM weekdays and 9AM to 5PM weekends, at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street.

Kindly click link above to keep tabs on latest and updated Consolidated Election news and events. Thank you. This page, launched in January, is no longer being updated. All candidates were/are welcomed to have their websites linked. We appreciate the information made available on websites. Thanks to all for running to serve this community.

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Update, March 4, 2025 / On this date a reader informed us her good friend never, ever votes in local elections. Let us remind voters that elected local leaders make direct decisions on the issues, budgets and public policies that matter most to this community. Important conversations regarding public safety efforts and economic development, funding education, parks and recreation, happen here with a specific focus on the issues in our community. Plus, if or when residents have issues, public meetings provide time for public comments.

PN is happy to report that analytics show this page is gaining popularity as the local Consolidated Election, Early Voting and Election Day grow nearer. Thanks to everybody who values being informed about all candidates who will set public policy and approve budgets.

Campaign Events & Forums in the Works are featured near the bottom of this post. Simply scroll down to see a long list of times and places to meet and greet all the hopefuls.

That said, we hope you’ll read through what follows first to learn a little bit more about Naperville’s nonpartisan Consolidated Election when seats on local governing bodies are on the ballot.

Thanks for taking time to be informed before heading to the polls…

Get to know elected officials while they’re serving. Become acquainted with the public policies they propose and advance. Watch public meetings whenever possible to avoid hearsay and/or comments taken out of context.

The Naperville community seeks reasonable, responsible women and men to serve during every election cycle. Pay attention now and consider the opportunity to serve on local boards and commissions to prepare for a future run for public office to serve the City and other governing bodies.

For now, however, it’s time to become prepared to vote in the next Consolidated Election set for April 1, 2025. Local consolidated elections are nonpartisan.

Since January 2025, PN has been trying to keep readers posted regarding meet-and-greet events and fundraisers for candidates as well as early voting schedules. Already since PN’s press date, candidates have been promoting upcoming fundraisers.

We welcome hopefuls to send invitations to public events and other opportunities to get to know candidates and issues. (A regularly updated list of events hosted by candidates titled Campaign Events & Forums in the Works is featured at the bottom of this post.)

Naperville: Two counties, two school districts, six townships, etc.

Sometimes residents move to Naperville without the knowledge that the City is served by different governing and taxing bodies with different boundaries.

For instance, Naperville is served by two different counties, DuPage (County seat is Wheaton.) and Will (County seat is Joliet.).

The City also is divided into Naperville Unit School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204.

In addition, the City of Naperville is served by six Townships (namely Naperville, Lisle, Winfield and Milton in DuPage County; and DuPage and Wheatland in Will County), each one providing different services from the City. The Consolidated Election is when Township officials (Supervisor, Assessor, Clerk, High Commissioner and Trustees) are elected. (Note! Unlike the other elections up for votes on April 1, township elections are elected along party lines.)

What’s more, Naperville residents are served by Naperville Park District.

Always be mindful that not every homeowner is served by the same governing body.

Again, all interest in local governing bodies is appreciated in order to elect quality representative leadership.

One more thing to know is that the nine-member Naperville City Council is governed by term limits. The Mayor and council members may serve up to three, four-year terms.

Naperville Consolidated Elections attract 24 hopefuls for City Council, Park District Board of Commissioners & Boards of Education

Twenty-four candidates now are running to serve four-year seats in four local governing and taxing bodies that set policies and approve budgets for Naperville residents. Four seats are up for the Naperville City Council, School District 203 and School District 204 Boards of Education, as well as the Naperville Park Board of Commissioners.

Watch for news about public forums and attend meet-and-greet events. As information is received from hosting organizations, this publication will try to inform the public about upcoming opportunities to become acquainted with candidates during fundraisers, coffees and public forums. (Candidate events and websites linked only upon request.)

Meanwhile, voters are encouraged to attend public meetings or watch them as they are available streaming online. (See “Campaign Events” near the bottom of this post. Note also candidate websites linked only by request.)

Naperville City Council candidates – Vote for 4

Eight candidates have ballot positions, each aiming to fill one of the four, four-year seats on the Naperville City Council. In alphabetical order, candidates are Meghna Bansal, Jennifer Bruzan-Taylor*, Mary Gibson, Ian Holzhauer*, Nag Jaiswal, Derek McDaniel, Ashfaq Syed and Benny White*. One incumbent seat will be left open by Councilman Paul Leong who is not seeking reelection. *Incumbents. 

Mayor Scott Wehrli is nearing the middle of his first four-year term, up for re-election in 2027.

Naperville Community Unit School District 203 candidates – Vote for 4

Five candidates have filed to run for the District 203 Board of Education, including a mix of both incumbents and newcomers. (Two incumbents, Kristin Fitzgerald and Donna Wandke, did not file for re-election.)

Incumbents Charles Cush and Amanda McMillen are being challenged by Holly Joy Blastic, Jillian Langer and Marc Willensky.

FYI: Illinois Report Card 2023-2024 / Naperville UCSD 203

To watch archive and recent School District 203 board meetings, click here.

NCTV FORUM DISTRICT 203

Indian Prairie School District 204 candidates – Vote for 4

Five candidates are running for the Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education, including all four incumbents.

Susan Demming, Laurie Donahue, Allison Fosdick and Supna Jain each seek re-election. Allison Albert is the challenger in the race.

FYI: Illinois Report Card 2023-2024 / Indian Prairie CUSD 204

Naperville Park District candidates – Vote for 4

Six individuals have tossed their hats into the ring to fill four spots open on the Naperville Park Board of Commissioners.

Incumbents Rhonda Ansier, Leslie Ruffing, Alison Thompson are being challenged by Aishwarya Balakrishna, Natalia Dagenhart and Zachary W. Jarrell.

Without a contest, three hopefuls will fill three seats on College of DuPage Board of Trustees

According to the College of DuPage website, three candidates have filed petitions for three open seats on the District 502 College of DuPage Board of Trustees for the April 1, 2025, Consolidated Election.  

Candidates include Sahin “Sonny” Jutla of Roselle, who has filed for the two-year seat; and Thomas Tumminaro of Wheaton, and Maria Sinkule of Addison, who have filed for the two six-year terms.  

Naperville Rules! Properly Placed Yard Signs Are Allowed and Appreciated

2025 Government Guide of Locally Elected Officials

The Positively Naperville website is an archive of information, including a post titled “2025 Government Guide of Individuals Elected to Serve Naperville.” After the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2025, the Government Guide link was updated, featuring elected officials serving Naperville in DuPage County; Will County; Springfield, Illinois; and Washington, D.C.

‘A right election can only be made by those who have knowledge…’ —Aristotle

Campaign Events & Forums in the Works

Individuals and candidates planning meet & greets, coffees, public forums and/or fundraisers expected to inform voters about hopefuls running in the 2025 Consolidated Election are welcome to submit briefs regarding upcoming public events to be included in this section, compliments of this publication to help inform the voting public.

Note: Dates and times are subject to change. Commitment of all candidates attending every forum has not been confirmed. Kindly also note: In the print edition just out, the March 11 forum for candidates in School District 204 posts the incorrect month. We always regret errors. 

Jan. 25 / Campaign Kick-off Event for Meghna Bansal

Jan. 28 / Campaign Fundraiser for ‘Future of Naperville Parks’

Naperville Park District candidates Zachary Jarrell (#2 on the ballot) and Natalia Dagenhart (#3 on the ballot) are hosting a campaign kick off event at 6PM Tues., Jan. 28, at Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Ave. The community is invited to meet two of the candidates running for NPD Commissioner. Appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Suggested donation: $50. For more info, visit www.jarrelldagenhart2025.com/.

Feb. 3 / City Council Candidate Forum will address environmental issues

The Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NEST) plans to host candidates for Naperville City Council during a forum focused on environmental and sustainability issues that will include the City’s electricity contract, a topic addressed frequently at City Council meetings. The forum is set for 7PM Mon., Feb. 3, at the First Congregational Church of Naperville, 25 E. Benton Ave. The public is invited. 

Feb. 4 / Team Common Sense for Lisle Township Meet & Greet/Fundraiser

Meet Lisle Township Candidates at Rayme’s! This in-person event from 5 to 7:30PM will be a great opportunity to meet and mingle with the candidates and friends. For complete info, click here: Team-common-sense-for-lisle-township-meet-greet-fundraiser. Raymes Steak & Fish House is located at 4801 Lincoln Avenue in Lisle. Campaign Donation: $50.

Feb. 9 / Nag Jaiswal Campaign for City Council Kick-Off

Meet Nag Jaiswal, candidate for City Council, during his kick-off event from 3 to 5:30PM, followed by a Super Bowl Watch Party at 5:30PM at Holiday Inn Naperville, 1837 Centerpointe Circle. Free Event. Contributions Welcome. Need more info? Visit nagjaiswal.com.

Feb. 11 / Monarch Landing hosts City Council Hopefuls

Residents at Monarch Landing will have a chance to meet City Council candidates from 6:30PM to 8:30PM Tues., Feb. 11, at the senior living community on Naperville’s northwest side.

Feb. 11 / NCTV Naperville Park District Forum Streamed Live 

Feb. 12 / Roaring 20s Fundraiser to Re-Elect Jennifer Bruzan Taylor to City Council

Dan Jurjovec and Ray McGury and Committee will host a fundraising event for the re-election of Jennifer Bruzan Taylor for City Council from 5:30 to 7PM on Wed., Feb. 12, 2025, at the Empire Speakeasy located upstairs at 48 W. Chicago Ave. in downtown Naperville. $ 50/ticket ($75 Couple). Sponsorships are welcome. For info about the campaign, visit taylorfornaperville.com.  Snow in Season… The Councilwoman reports, “We are having our fundraiser tonight. Come out and brave the snow. There will be valet parking, so no need to get those shoes wet. Many thanks to our public works teams who will be diligently keeping our streets and sidewalks clear and safe!”

Feb. 19 / Network & Meet Derek McDaniel, City Council Candidate 

Dan Jurjovec, Paul Hinterlong and John Koranda are hosting an event from 5:30PM to 7:30PM Wed., Feb. 19, for Naperville City Council candidate Derek McDaniel. The networking meet & greet will be held at the VFW, 908 W. Jackson Ave. Cost: $25 per person (Includes one beverage ticket and complimentary food spread.). Questions? Contact info@derekfornaperville.com. For more about the campaign, visit www.derekfornaperville.com.

Feb. 25 / Candidates for School District 203 Forum Streamed Live 

The candidate forum for hopefuls running to serve the Naperville Community School District 203 Board of Education will be moderated by Mark Wright. The discussions will stream live at 7PM Tues., Feb. 25, on NCTV17.org and be available on demand the next day.

‘One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.’ —Plato

March 17 / Early Voting begins – 15 days before Consolidated Election

In-person Early Voting begins Mon., March 17, 2025, at the Naperville Municipal Center and other Naperville locations in DuPage County and Will County for the April 1, 2025, Consolidated Election. Other locations may be listed when available.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE! TELL FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS! Election Day again falls during Spring Break for School Districts 203 & 204! This message reminds all residents to remember to VOTE EARLY from March 17 thru March 28, before Spring Break departures.

Polling Hours at the Naperville Municipal Center, aka City Hall:

• Monday through Sunday.
• 8AM to 7PM, Weekdays
• 9AM to 5PM Weekends.

April 1 / Polling Places are open from 6AM to 7PM on Election Day

Notes regarding this Voter’s Guide

Any omissions are not intended. Mistakes are regretted and will be addressed when identified. Corrections can be made. Candidates who contact PN can request for their names in this listing to be hyperlinked to their campaign websites.

PN does not endorse candidates, but advertising is available for our printed issue and online format through 7PM Tues., April 1. Find political advertising info and rates here.

Here’s hoping public forums for candidates running to serve the governing and taxing bodies for School District 203 and School District 204 Boards of Education as well as Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners also will be scheduled and posted here soon. 

Thanks for reading. Mostly, thanks for taking time to become an educated and informed voter where it matters most, right here in Naperville; mindful that most residents, just as most Americans, desire to live in places with fiscally-responsible services, great schools, low crime and businesses that offer a mix of goods, services and entertainment. 

Thanks to all candidates who took time to create an informative website and to all with a desire to serve our community as an elected official. Many happy returns!

Originally Posted, Jan. 10, 2025. Updated often while trying to keep up with local groundhog Woodstock Willie’s claim that spring will arrive early in Illinois. Spring annually is set to arrive on March 20.