Above / The stage was set for the 35th State of the City Address, held this year at Embassy Suites, and delivered by Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli.
Good afternoon, and welcome to the State of the City. I am so excited to be with you here today. This is becoming my favorite time of year, where we reflect on everything we’ve checked off our list since last May and shine a bright light on our path forward.
It’s also an opportunity to celebrate some things that happened, like when the Republic of Moldova opened its consulate office in Naperville. Not many ribbon cuttings include a national dance, but we tried our best with the Hora. (Brief video plays)
OK, so maybe I need a little more practice! With over 200 Moldovan immigrants living in Naperville, I’m looking forward to a wonderful relationship … and more opportunities to improve my dancing skills! I also tried my hand at being a barista last November when Scooter’s Coffee opened on Route 59. (Brief video plays)
It’s safe to say that the real baristas prefer to see me on the other side of the drive-thru window these days! While much has changed, the foundations of family, friendship, and shared values have kept us grounded in the present, even while we look to the future.
Like my wife Lynda of 28 years, who makes me better each and every day, even after three decades. She really is the most patient person I know. Or our kids, Hope and Sam, who make us so proud as they embrace adulthood and all of the challenges that come with it.
There’s also my “external family,” the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, which brings us together to revisit the year’s highlights using words and images from NCTV.
This week, NCTV’s executive director, Liz Spencer, announced she would be leaving her role at the end of the year. Thank you, Liz, for connecting our community. I think she deserves a special round of applause for telling Naperville’s stories for 23 years.
Thank you to the Embassy Suites and Samir and Ash Lakhany for once again hosting us. Let’s give my family, our collective Chamber family, and the Embassy a big round of applause for their support.
Even though I’ve been mayor for two years now, I only just recently went to “mayor school.” In 2024, I was accepted into the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative with 38 other mayors from 11 countries. It has been eye-opening, to say the least.
It’s also where I learned about a leadership tool called the public narrative. At its core, the public narrative is about three stories: the story of self, the story of us, and the story of now.
It uses personal experiences to explore our connections so we can face challenges and opportunities together.
The video we watched was part of the Story of Us. It was a bridge between the past and present, showing how the choices made by Napervillians of all ages and backgrounds, past and present, define our community, and even our world, long into the future.
That word choice is key. Challenge, choice, and outcome are the key elements of the public narrative. Quite frankly, they’re also the story of public service. The people you saw in the video rose to the occasion, no matter what that moment in history demanded.
Our predecessors didn’t just build a city by problem-solving for their time. They built it long term, for us, right now. For that, I’m grateful, because you can’t rise to new heights if you don’t have a solid foundation beneath you.
It’s our duty to do the same. We owe it to our children, our children’s children, and their children, to build a city that provides the same opportunities we were given.
Let’s follow their example. Let’s lay down the building blocks for future success.
2024 was marked by many of these achievements, and there’s no better place to start discussing them than the I-88 corridor. It helped us transform Naperville in the 1950s and 60s and it continues to do so today.
We’ve taken a two-pronged approach to transforming the area from Eola Road to Naperville Road into the innovation corridor of the future.
As part of the Bloomberg program, Naperville collaborated with Harvard and Johns Hopkins University to explore how data can be used as an economic development tool. City professionals, Naperville Development Partnership staff, and I have been meeting since last fall to create a data-driven strategy for the corridor. This third-party expertise helped us identify our “big lift” for that area, so we can focus on a specific element.
By working with the City’s Data Team, business retention jumped out as the top priority. Our “aha” moment charted ways to track successful growing Naperville businesses and target them for special attention. The NDP and I will reach out to those businesses to see how we can assist them in achieving their goals so that we can watch them grow right here.
But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. Last year, the Naperville Development Partnership hired a consultant to evaluate the corridor. They’ll be releasing their report soon with recommendations on how to reignite the area and why we’re well-positioned to achieve this.
They found that Naperville has a highly educated workforce compared to the region and America overall. One-third of our residents over age 25 hold advanced degrees, which is double the number compared to the Chicago metro area. Nearly half of the city’s existing jobs are located in the corridor, which the report noted was an ideal location for certain high-growth industries.
Sectors like: ag and food tech, biotech, pharma and life sciences, energy, fintech, quantum and advanced computing, tourism, sports, and hospitality.
The study sets aspirational goals that add 15,000 high-paying jobs in the corridor by 2045 if we target these industries. This would result in $900 million in additional labor income and $2.6 billion more in output, all in that same timeframe.
With our highly educated workforce, infrastructure investments, “best city” accolades, and strategic location, we are well-positioned to create the future right here in Naperville. There is no doubt that the I-88 corridor will be the largest and most significant redevelopment opportunity in our city’s history.
Challenge. Choice. Outcome.
We’ve identified the corridor’s challenges and potential outcomes. What choices do we have to move forward? Plenty, considering some of the best and brightest minds have already worked at corridor companies for 60-plus years.
Like Bell Labs, which opened its Indian Hill campus in 1966. Now part of Nokia, Bell Labs is celebrating its company’s centennial this year. We’re proud that Naperville has been one of their homes for over half a century.
We also have companies that are newer to the corridor bringing innovation to life just down the road. A notable example is Edwards Lifesciences’ new Implantable Heart Failure Management business unit dedicated to providing innovative solutions for people fighting cardiovascular disease.
In 2022, they announced the opening of their lab on Diehl Road to help give them the space and workforce needed to launch their groundbreaking new product.
In 2024, that product – a novel, comprehensive, remote heart failure management system, paired with a pulmonary artery pressure sensor – received pre-market approval from the FDA.
We’ve always been a community with a lot of heart. Now people are receiving better care for theirs thanks to devices built right here in Naperville.
You’ve been hearing a lot about the corridor and the importance of commercial development in general.
Here’s why: balance.
Balancing residential and commercial development in turn supports our school districts, our park district, the libraries, and all the amenities Naperville is known for.
When a business opens its doors, it doesn’t just bring employees here. It brings people to our hotels and convention spaces. It brings shoppers and diners to all corners of the city. It brings new residents who want to live where they work. The resulting sales and income tax revenue directly supports city services, like public safety and public works.
A strong commercial presence ultimately helps keep our property taxes lower, and this delicate balance must be preserved.
We enjoy the community we have today because of every forward-thinking decision made yesterday, and it goes beyond I-88. New commercial development is taking shape all around the city.
We’re literally “building blocks” thanks to the opening of Block 59, a complete redevelopment of the northeast corner of Route 59 and Aurora Avenue. This spring, Block 59 welcomed Shake Shack, which will be joined by Stan’s Donuts, Yard House, Velvet Taco, Ruth’s Chris, and the Cheesecake Factory, with more to come over the next year. All of this is built around open green space that will be used for entertainment and gatherings.
To the east, Heinen’s Grocery Store is scheduled to open in August on Chicago Avenue.
Moving south, Life Time Athletic Resort will break ground this summer at Route 59 and 103rd Street.
In the downtown area, it’s been a big year of welcoming national and local names, like Abercrombie & Fitch, Barnes & Noble, Kendra Scott, and, very soon, Alo Yoga. These will open alongside locally-owned businesses like Bell Canto, Temptinn, and Avocado Theory, just to name a few.
They’re joined by Naperville classics celebrating notable anniversaries, like Oswald’s Pharmacy and Anderson’s Bookshop at 150 years, Two Bostons at 20, and Costello Jewelers at 25.
Whether old or new, it will be easier to navigate to these places this summer when, yes, finally, the Washington Street Bridge construction is complete.
We understand it was a big inconvenience to businesses and motorists, but now we’ll have a bridge that will serve the community for at least the next 75 years.
That makes me think of the neighboring Main Street bridge, whose third version was built entirely by Naperville residents back in 1931. That bridge stood for 74 years until it was reconstructed in 2005.
The hard work of those who lived here in the 1930s saw the dawn of a new millennium, vehicles they couldn’t even dream of, and a safe path for their grandchildren’s footsteps. Now we’re doing the same for Naperville residents who will be here in the year 2100.
Reflecting on the future we want to leave behind has also revitalized the downtown train station discussion. We were pleased to learn earlier this year that the Urban Land Institute will partner with Naperville and provide an independent analysis of potential land uses by this fall.
Everything I’ve mentioned is just a fraction of what’s happening in the community.
Last year, the $2.2 million in building permit and fee revenue we took in represented a 56% increase from 2023. That equates to 6,568 residential and commercial permits issued just in 2024. Just last week, the Census Bureau released an estimate that says Naperville is now the third largest city in Illinois!
These numbers are a sign that people continue to invest in Naperville for the long term, and no one has a better grasp of facts like these than Bill Novack, a 33-year city employee and our long-time director of transportation, engineering, and development (TED).
Earlier this month, Bill chose to develop the next stage of his life – retirement. If you’ve been part of the Naperville development community at any time during his tenure, you know that Bill put his heart and soul into making this city what he and so many others knew it could be.
Although Bill could not be here with us today due to some well-deserved travel opportunities, let’s take a moment to show him our appreciation for a job well done.
Let’s complete the rest of the development map now by taking a look at the Chamber’s newest members.
(Pause to a watch a video showcasing new Chamber members in 2024/early 2025)
Remember: choices play a significant role in the concept of challenge, choice, and outcome within the public narrative.
If someone comes to work in Naperville, they have many choices where their family can call home. That’s why focusing on Naperville’s quality of life is so important.
Our businesses thrive because their employees want to live in a safe community with quality schools, green space, and family-friendly activities. You can’t have one without the other.
We’re a business-focused group in this room, but many of you are residents, too. Being responsive to your needs and wants is just as important as attracting and retaining businesses. That starts with exceptional policymaking at the local level.
It’s my pleasure to formally introduce our newest City Council members, Mary Gibson and Ashfaq Syed. I’d also like to thank Paul Leong and Jennifer Bruzan-Taylor for their service on the Council over the last four years. These leaders chose to step into the arena and serve their community.
Council members past and present, please stand. Let’s give them all a big hand.
When a city provides its services effectively, it doesn’t make headlines. It’s the day-to-day expectation, and not the exception. But what does capture national attention is the work of our government partners and all of you.
You are why Niche.com named us the best city to live in America for the second year in a row this past spring.
You are why, for five years straight, Niche has recognized Naperville as the place with the best public schools and the best city to raise a family.
You are why Livability named us the healthiest place to live in the U.S. last month, and you are why Naperville just made U.S. News and World Report’s Best Places to Live list.
These accolades are also thanks to thousands of community volunteers, including 120 appointed to our city boards and commissions.
This year, we created new ways for students to give back to their community. I’ve had six of our brightest high school students attend events with me as part of our Chief of Staff intern program.
They’ve made a difference in my work, and I hope the role has introduced them to what local government looks like. Thank you for helping build this community. Now it’s time to shine the spotlight on all of you.
(Pause to a watch a video showcasing community partners)
Every year, the city builds on its previous accomplishments. Over the next two years, we’re focusing on what is most important to our residents: public safety, utilities, mobility, the economy, and the environment.
Early success is measured by how we plan ahead.
You often hear us talk about how the best and brightest work for our community. This is absolutely true, but that needs intentional effort.
Right now, about 17% of our sworn police personnel and 20% of our sworn fire personnel are eligible to retire. Given the hiring shortage in these professions, we’re exploring new ways to hire the next generation.
That includes working with Naperville North and Central students on ways to promote our police and fire cadet programs and introduce students to career opportunities in public safety.
On the police side, we’ve lowered the application age from 21 to 20 to make it possible for more candidates to take the required written exam. For Fire, registered nurses can now be hired, thanks in part to a Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse bridge program that aligns their training with paramedicine.
I’d like to thank Police Chief Jason Arres and Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis, whose innovation and planning have kept our city one of the safest in the nation. Let’s give them a round of applause.
Next up is a topic we hear a lot about: traffic. We’ve collected almost 500 public comments on the current state of our streets, which will help update our Roadway Improvement Plan. This plan is the guidebook for what roads and intersections need work in the next 20-plus years.
We also recognize the importance of maintaining those pathways that give Naperville its unique small-town charm.
The Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan is well underway, with the new Eagle Street Gateway opening by Labor Day.
The North Central College gateway on Washington Street will get its long-awaited facelift by next fall, and the southern extension to Edward Hospital is now in the design phase.
But make no mistake – our small-town charm isn’t stopping us from creating a city for the future.
In today’s “at the speed of light” society, over 25% of our residents work from home. Telecom companies have supported Naperville’s connectivity for decades and continually update that investment.
Now we’re welcoming fiber-to-the-home into the mix.
One new company has obtained a permit to begin deploying fiber optic internet in Naperville, and two more are in the permitting process. This means symmetrical speeds that support ever-increasing data demands, remote work, and down-to-the-millisecond industries like healthcare and finance.
All of the work I mentioned takes diligence, commitment, and resourcefulness, with a dash of creativity and ingenuity mixed in. These are attributes that City Manager Doug Krieger, Deputy City Manager Pam Gallahue, and all our department directors possess.
There are a few new names on that list, by the way.
Melanie Marcordes joined Team Naperville last September as Director of Community Services, and in April, Helga Oles was named the new Human Resources Director. This was followed by Jennifer Louden’s move into the director position for our transportation, engineering, and development team.
Let’s welcome Melanie, Helga, and Jennifer to their new roles and give a round of applause to all our directors.
Managing the funds supporting these long-term priorities is key to our success.
Our local economy generates diverse revenues, including sales tax, and I have some exciting news to announce on that front.
You heard it here first: I’m thrilled to announce that Naperville was once again the top suburb for total retail sales in 2024. This makes us the largest generator of retail sales in the Chicago suburbs for nine consecutive years.
This information is courtesy of Melaniphy and Associates, the consulting firm that tracks this data annually.
We saw almost $5 billion in total retail sales and topped the dining and drinking; grocery; home improvement; and auto and gas sales categories. Multiple revenue sources mean that we are not at the mercy of the economic ups and downs that come with a single revenue stream.
One of our most stable sources is property tax. The city’s property tax rate decreased again in 2024, resulting in the lowest rate in 55 years!
As a rule, the City takes a conservative approach to budgeting, but this doesn’t mean we aren’t innovating or moving ahead.
Instead, it shows we want to fund necessary resources in the short term while also maintaining long-term financial stability.
This was the mindset when Council adopted the 2025 budget. We focused on funding existing city services first, knowing we had issues on the horizon.
The end of the state’s 1% grocery tax next January means $6.5 million less will flow into our General Fund. This fund covers our day-to-day expenses, including the services typically expected from local government. Police and fire protection, snow removal, leaf collection, tree trimming, and permit services are just a few examples. We must find a solution to this budget gap.
It will require tough conversations by the new City Council, beginning next month. Numerous Councils have made difficult decisions in the past. We have the luxury of looking back and seeing the domino effect of their decisions that led to success.
Thanks to them, today’s leaders are in a strong position to tackle financial challenges. I have confidence in our ability to work together as a team to keep making the tough decisions for today and beyond, and I know all of you do, too.
The final story in the 2025 public narrative of Naperville is being written, well, now: The Story of Now.
This is where I need all of you to join me. Each time you face a challenge, you have two choices. You either rise to it . . . or run from it.
Naperville is rising to, not running from, the realities of today’s world.
We owe it to you, the business community, and all of our residents to validate your long-term investment in this city. It’s our duty to provide you with a stable, safe, and financially sound community.
In turn, I hope that stability translates to space. Space for creativity. Space to invent. Space to change the world. Space to raise the next generation of leaders who will sit in a room and watch a video about you someday.
Over the next year, consider how you can be the one to loudly and proudly write the Story of Now and put it into action.
For the people we watched at the beginning of this hour, nothing was easy, but they all shared one timeless concept that let them move forward.
Faith.
I have faith in you. I have faith in our residents. Because of that, I have faith in our great city.
It is truly an honor to serve as your mayor. Thank you for building the blocks of Naperville with me!
Editor’s Note / A few photos have been inserted here and there to break up the text of the Mayor’s address posted above in its entirety. Thanks to Kate Schultz Senior Communications Specialist – City Manager’s Office, City of Naperville for sending the address.
Six Mayors of Naperville since 1975
Here’s a glimpse of six Naperville Mayors, past and present, with years of service from 1975 through 2025 and photos since 1996: 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).
Mayor Peg Price hosted the first State of the City luncheon in 1989 to benefit the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. Many of the “Mayor” photos were taken during State of the City addresses when Mayor George Pradel was known to sport a top hat. —PN
