Polls will be open rom 6AM to 7PM on Consolidated Election Day, Tues., April 1, 2025. Remember! Consolidated Election Day again is during spring break. If planning to be away for spring break, be sure to take advantage of Early Voting. Look for “Vote Here” signs at the Naperville Municipal Center that soon will lead the way. (PN File Photo)
Off and running, City Council candidates filed petitions on Oct. 21, 2024, for the Consolidated Election on April 1, 2025.
Four, four-year seats on the Naperville City Council are up for election on April 1, 2025.
Flashing back to 7:55AM, Oct. 21, 2024, seven Naperville City Council hopefuls waited at entrance to the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall to begin filing petitions at 8AM.
Prepared with petition packets were Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Derek McDaniel, Benny White, Mary Gibson, Ashfaq Syed, Ian Holzhauer and Meghna Bansal. The first seven in line to file at 8AM Oct. 21 were placed in a lottery for listing on the ballot.
Farid Shabazz filed Oct. 23, followed by Nag Jaiswal. After petition challenges by three residents to the latter two filings, Shabazz was disqualified. Now eight candidates remain on the ballot.
On Dec. 4, 2024, the public was welcome to observe the lottery drawing by City Manager Doug Krieger to determine ballot order. The top spot went to Benny White followed by Mary Gibson, Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Ian Holzhauer, Derek McDaniel, Meghna Bansal and Ashfaq Syed. Nag Jaiswal was listed later and last.
Meanwhile, pay attention to all local issues. Note the Naperville City Council approved a $641.14 million budget for 2025. Note local boards, commissions and task forces. Be grateful for all who serve honorably. Note importance of public safety while addressing public concerns regarding screeching vehicles and loud mufflers throughout town as well as neighborhood nuisances, distracting disturbances and unruly dogs.
Know Naperville rules regarding placement of campaign signs. Know procedures for reporting sidewalks in need of repair. Become an educated voter. Talk to family, friends and neighbors. Watch City Council meetings on the first and third Tuesdays in February and March streaming online.
Upon request, candidates for City Council are welcome to post campaign events on this page. —PN
‘One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.’ —Plato
City Council Forums / Meet & Greets / Fundraisers
February
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. 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 / City Council Forum hosted by NACC for Members Only
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce will host a City Council Forum from 5 to 7PM Tues., Feb. 25, for NACC Members Only. The free event will welcome 100 members to attend with advance registration. The forum will be held at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. All eight candidates have confirmed that they will attend. Event contact RSVP at Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce: (630) 355-4141.
March
March 1 / ‘Team Taylor Walk Day of Action to Keep Voters in the Know’
March 8 / CAWA & AIANA City Council Forum at Nichols Library
Nancy Chen of the Chinese American Women in Action (CAWA) and Madhu Uppel of the Alliance of Indian Americans of Naperville Area (AIANA) will host a City Council Forum from 1:30PM to 3:30PM Sat., March 8, at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. Asian Americans comprise 20 percent of Naperville’s residents and contribute to the economic and cultural vibrancy of the city. The forum will provide opportunities for voters to gain better knowledge about the 8 candidates who are vying for 4 seats to serve the city and the community. The public is welcome.
March 10 / Public Safety Leaders in the News / Candidate Meet & Greet
Safe Suburbs USA will host “Public Safety in the News” from 6PM to 8PM Mon., March 10, at The Matrix Club, 808 Route 59. $50 Admission. Cash bar. From 6-7PM, meet local candidates running in the Consolidated Election. From 7-8PM, SSUSA Chairman Kevin Coyne and Chairman-CEO of 630 Chamber Beth Goncher will lead a panel discussion featuring Nicole Di Bonoccio, Lisle Trustee candidate, former contestant on The Apprentice; Josh McBroom, Naperville City Councilman, commentator on national news; Detective Richard Wistocki, Cyber crime expert and frequent guest on Dr. Phil; and Todd Ciganek, SSUSA Advisory Board, former Fox News Bureau Chief and National Editor. RSVP: www.SafeSuburbsUSA.com/2025.
March 11 / League of Women Voters / City Council Forum
Naperville League of Women Voters is scheduled to host a public forum featuring candidates for City Council at 7PM Tues., March 11, via Zoom. Stay tuned for details regarding how to register and watch at www.lwvnaperville.org.
March 15 / West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Parade
Candidates know how Naperville loves its parades… The West Suburban Irish is now taking registration for the Annual St. Patrick’s Parade set to step off at 10AM Sat., March 15, 2025, in downtown. Watch candidates running in the Consolidated Election walk to show their community spirit! Registration is now in progress.
March 20 / Naperville Senior Task Force Public Forum – City Council
March 25 / NCTV City Council Forum Streamed Live for On Demand
Vote!
‘Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good: ‘Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm.’ –Ralph Waldo Emerson
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
2025 Consolidated Election
The 2025 Consolidated Election on April 1 also will include hopefuls to fill seats on School District 203 and School District 204 Boards of Education, Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners and College of DuPage Board of Trustees.
The above list is focused on the eight candidates running to serve four years on the Naperville City Council. For the long list of forums featuring candidates running in all local Consolidated Elections, visit PN’s Voters Guide. —PN
Candidates are welcome to request posts for forums and meet & greets for our Voters Guides. Simply email who, what, when and where with cost, if any, to ideas@positivelynaperville.com. Thanks.
Meanwhile, get to know the candidates running for City Council via their websites: Meghna Bansal, Jennifer Bruzan-Taylor*, Mary Gibson, Ian Holzhauer*, Nag Jaiswal, Derek McDaniel, Ashfaq Syed and Benny White*. Voters can can choose to vote for up to four hopefuls. Four of the individuals running will be elected and sworn in on the first Sunday in May.
