Mayor Scott Wehrli will deliver the annual State of the City on May 22 at Embassy Suites Chicago-Naperville, located at 1823 Abriter Court. Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce members and the public are invited.
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Report
NAPERVILLE, IL – The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Naperville will co-host the 2025 State of the City address from 11AM to 1PM on Thurs., May 22, at Embassy Suites Chicago-Naperville.
This year’s theme, “The Building Blocks of Naperville,” emphasizes the city’s foundational efforts from 2024 and their continued influence on priorities for 2025. Mayor Scott Wehrli will deliver the annual address, highlighting key achievements from the past year and outlining how those successes are guiding decisions on development, financial stewardship and economic growth.
“Looking back at all we accomplished in 2024 and the first few months of 2025 is a great way to build ourselves up to continue our work in the second half of the year,” Mayor Scott Wehrli said. “This year, I’ll share the story of our city by talking about the actions that help make us the best place in the country to live, a world-class business destination, and an economic retail sales and dining powerhouse. I hope you’ll join me and hear how you can be part of our community’s shared future,” said Mayor Scott Wehrli.
Now in its 35th year, the State of the City address offers a meaningful opportunity for business professionals, civic leaders and community members to connect and gain insight into Naperville’s direction and vision for the future.
“We’re not just hearing about what’s ahead, we’re part of it. The Chamber stands ready to support the bold steps being taken in 2025 to move our business community and our city forward. We value our partnership with the city, not only during the State of the City address, but year-round through our Business Works Committee, ribbon cuttings, and ongoing collaboration that fuels economic growth and opportunity in Naperville,” said Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kaylin Risvold.
Embassy Suites Chicago-Naperville is located at 1823 Abriter Court, just north of Diehl Road.
For an opportunity to gain insights into what’s happening in the community, the cost for Chamber Members is $75 each. Community Members are $90 each.
For more information and to reserve tickets, visit naperville.net/state-of-the-city or contact events@naperville.net.
Here’s a brief history of the State of the City
Since 1995, your PN publisher has attended State of the City Addresses here and there in Naperville and sometimes Lisle.
Back in 2001 when Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel was in his second term, the Rotary Club of Naperville recognized member Rotarians for their public service when the club met at Cress Creek Country Club. Pictured above, three Rotarians recognized that day had served as Naperville Mayor and one was still serving: Naperville Mayors Peg Price (1983-1991), Chet Rybicki (1975-1983) and Sam Macrane (1991-1995) joined the man known as “Officer Friendly” who went on to serve as the only 5-term Naperville Mayor (1995-2015).
Mayor Price forever will be credited for starting the State of the City Address in 1989, now an annual event for the current mayor to recap the past year’s events with a look toward the future.
“Jack Romine (a member of the Rotary Club of Naperville at the time) was president of the Chamber back then,” Price reminded PN in 2019. “Jack came up with the idea of State of the City to benefit the Chamber.”
According to Price, the first State of the City Address was held at the Sheridan (where the Chicago Marriott is now). One time the address was at the “N” Building when it was under construction. The event, usually a luncheon, also has traveled back and forth to the Holiday Inn Select, Lisle Hilton, Chicago Marriott and now Embassy Suites. One year, when Pradel was mayor, a breakfast event was held at Tellabs. Another time during Price’s term, Romine even coordinated for Naperville to host its State of the City in Chicago, she noted, still in wonderment, in 2019.
Six Mayors of Naperville since 1975
Here’s a glimpse of six Naperville Mayors, past and present, from 1996 through 2025: Chester Rybicki (1975-1983), Margaret “Peg” Price (1983-1991), Sam Macrane (1991-1995), A. George Pradel (1995-2015), Steve Chirico (2015-2023) and Scott Wehrli (2023 to current).
Since 1989, the State of the City luncheon has been hosted by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. The 2025 State of the City Address titled “The Building Blocks of Naperville, will be presented by Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli beginning at 11AM Thurs., May 22, at Embassy Suites Chicago-Naperville.
