Politics & Government
Candidates Vie For Naperville Mayor, City Council: Election 2023
The April 4 election will bring Naperville a new mayor and includes a field of 11 candidates hoping to land a seat on the city council.
NAPERVILLE, IL — Election 2023 will bring a new mayor to Naperville and fill four seats on the Naperville City Council.
MAYOR OF NAPERVILLE
Three candidates are on the ballot in an effort to replace outgoing Mayor Steve Chirico, who announced in July 2022 that he would not seek reelection. Below is some information about each of the candidates seeking to take the mayoral seat.
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City Council member Benny White's mayoral platform promises, "While I advocate for the same key priorities I’ve pushed throughout my years in Naperville’s government, know that holding to our high standards is my overarching priority!"
The Issues
When it comes to economic development, White's campaign website states that he will prioritize supporting sustainable solutions and expanding the city's workforce and affordable housing opportunities.
White's website states,
"Naperville needs to find a way forward on this. Doing so offers real benefits and opportunities for our residents, particularly those looking for housing options for all stages of life. We (government and the community) need to have these conversations on how to do this to our collective satisfaction. As mayor, I intend to both encourage the public to help us and apply the skills unique to my background to drive us towards a solution."
White, a former West Point cadet who became a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, writes on the site,
"What defines good governance? You’ll find terms like participation, responsiveness, efficiency, transparency, ethics, competence and cost. These clearly synergize with the Army’s Seven Core Values, which is why many former military members find that staying in the public sector plays to their strengths. We’re built for the job—a job that prioritizes purpose."
Scott Wehrli, a former police officer who served in law enforcement for more than three decades, works as a police officer for the Naperville Park District.
The Issues
Public safety is one of Wehrli's top campaign priorities, per his website. "We work hard to be called one of the safest cities in America," Wehrli writes. He continues,
"I have a unique understanding of the support our police, fire and healthcare community need to ensure Naperville continues to be a safe and desirable place to call home. I have seen firsthand the mental health and addiction crisis in our community and will make it a priority to advocate for our residents in need."
To Werhli, economic development means "more funding for investments in infrastructure, our schools, public safety, and better services for Naperville residents." He aims to revitalize "idle commercial real estate" and work to draw in new businesses while incentivizing longstanding businesses to stay.
Tiffany Stephens got her start at the Advanced Technical Institute, where she studied pre-law and private investigation. Her website states that she went on to found Caring For Children Daycare and Kids Teen Rider. The latter helps provide transportation to teenagers and younger children who live in the area.
The Issues
On her Twitter account, Stephens writes, "This is independent outsider and candidate for Naperville Mayor, Tiffany Stephens. Unlike my opponents, I won’t have to answer to wealthy donors and special interest groups. As your next Mayor, my only special interest is making sure Naperville stays the safest city for families."
Per her campaign flyer, Stephens vows to:
- Increase affordable housing opportunities
- Improve access to child care for single parents and working moms
- Increase access to resources for residents with mental illness
- Increase economic opportunities and public safety initiatives
NAPERVILLE CITY COUNCIL
There are nearly a dozen candidates seeking to fill the four seats available on the Naperville City Council.
Nag Jaiswal, first-generation immigrant from India, has worked as a digital entrepreneur and technologist for three decades, per his campaign website. Jaiswal and wife Sheela are co-founders of Salome Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping rebuild income insecure areas.
The Issues
Jaiswal aims to protect property values, writing, "When property values decrease, school districts suffer, spending in town shrinks, and Naperville becomes a less sought-after community. Our elected leaders must understand that the decisions they make have a direct effect on home values and the future of Naperville families."
His campaign site states that to foster economic growth, he will "push for the city to incentivize innovation and minimize the barriers to entry for new businesses in Naperville."
A small business owner, Rebecca Malotke-Meslin received the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Month award in July 2017, the Andy Noel Award for Excellence from the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals in 2018 and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce 4 under 40 Award in 2020, per her campaign website.
She has served on the city's Chamber of Commerce and as chairperson of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Committee
The Issues
Malotke-Meslin's political platform aims to boost diversity and inclusion by working with city staff to develop diversity, equity and inclusion programs to "create a opportunities for a diverse cross-section of residents to engage in civil discourse."
Part of Malotke-Meslin's platform includes making a strategic city plan for 2024 that will "prioritize capital improvements for infrastructures, such as water mains, roads and bridges."
Josh McBroom has worked as a financial advisor in Naperville for 17 years. In 2019, he was elected to serve on the board for the Naperville Park District. He lives in Naperville with his wife and three children. His website states, "He quickly earned a reputation as a constituent advocate who fought for the right of Naperville residents to use park district assets when arbitrary shutdowns threatened the health and well-being of our community. It was here that he learned how good government can work, and how important it is to our daily lives."
The Issues
McBroom's website states, "With the cost of living rising for all Americans, especially here in Illinois, it’s more important than ever our local leaders work to reduce costs for families struggling to keep up. I will protect your tax dollars."
He continues,
"As a financial expert and community leader, I have extensive experience managing municipal budgets as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in assets for families and businesses. I’m one of the only non-incumbent candidates for city council who has held public office and managed tax dollars. I have a proven track record of asking tough questions and being a fiscally responsible steward of the public’s money."
McBroom pledges to prioritize property values, public safety and to increase the economic climate for businesses and new developments in the city.
Jodi Trendler is executive director and founder of The Resiliency Institute, a nonprofit organization that aims to foster economic sustainability and community resiliency by way of permaculture.
The Issues
Sustainability plays a big part in Trendler's platform. She aims to integrate sustainability and resilience into Naperville's strategic planning. Trendler's campaign website also identifies reducing and managing waste, getting access to cleaner, more affordable energy and helping local businesses become more sustainable.
Trendler's platform states that she would like to position Naperville for more economic development. She plans a strategy that includes incentivizing incoming businesses to provide living wages and increasing innovation opportunities for area businesses.
Incumbent candidate Patrick Kelly was elected to the Naperville City Council in 2019. In that time, he has been a liaison to the city's downtown advisory, historic preservation and human rights and fair housing committees. He runs a law firm in downtown Naperville that handles real estate business, according to Kelly's campaign website.
The Issues
Kelly's campaign platform focuses on sustainability, public safety, city finances and encouraging responsible real estate and commercial developments.
Affordable housing is among Kelly's priorities, per his website, where he writes, "While growth in value is a testament to the desirability of our community, I believe it is also important to ensure that our seniors can continue to afford to live here and that our city continues to be a place that young people and young families can move to."
Kelly also notes a string of commercial developments he voted on during his time in city council, writing, "Part of responsible development is ensuring that quality commercial development continues in our city to offset the property tax burden of residential property owners."
Nate Wilson earned his bachelor's degree in finance and a masters degree in information systems before moving to Naperville a decade ago as he continued to purse his tech science career. Per his website, Wilson's community experience includes serving with the Naperville Jaycees, the Naperville Human Rights and Housing Commission, Naperville Salute and time spent as a soccer coach.
The Issues
Per Wilson's website, his campaign has three top priorities. These include:
- Promoting and encouraging economic development by maintaining lower taxes
- Promoting a "strong and safe community" via "pro-police and pro-public safety policies"
- Streamlining local government and using a "common sense approach" to problem-solving
Ashfaq Sayed serves on the Naperville Public Library Board, along with the Naperville Neighbors United and Loaves and Fishes Boards of Directors. His experience also includes working as a Civic Engagement Committee Member at the Islamic Center and a committee member at 360 Youth Services.
The Issues
Syed's platform focuses on affordable workforce housing, economic development and public safety, In a campaign video, Sayed shares the following quote, "As a councilman, I will use my experience and leadership skills from my extensive community involvement to ensure that Naperville remains the safe and welcoming and prosperous city we have worked so hard to create."
Meghna Bansal earned a bachelors and masters degree in business and finance before beginning her political career. A 19-year resident of Naperville, Bansal has served as trustee of Wheatland Township, chairperson of the Indian Community Outreach program and a co-chair of the township's senior committee.
The Issues
Bansal's four-pronged campaign platform puts its focus on community wellness, education and inclusion, public safety and responsible spending.
On her campaign's Facebook page, Bansal writes," Public safety and security, including cybercrimes, identity theft, and bullying, are the most serious issues that the community will face in the coming years. We need to protect our citizens, especially our seniors and youths, from predators. City Council will need to plan and invest to curtail rising crime rate, especially technology crimes."
Ashley South
Ashley South holds a degree in political science from Columbia University and founded a publishing company in Naperville in 2021, per her campaign website. Her community efforts include mentoring high schoolers via Step Up and founding Main & Luxe magazine to showcase Naperville businesses.
The Issues
South's campaign site highlights initiatives that focus on city services, community development and supporting small businesses.
She favors adjusting taxes to "level the field" for big and small businesses, per her website. South's website states that she wants to help diversify the city's commercial footprint by making it easier for other business to come to Naperville.
South's campaign also seeks to increase governmental transparency and improve affordable housing options.
Allison Longenbaugh is a trustee and secretary on the Naperville Public Library Board. An 18-year resident of Naperville, Longenbaugh hopes to snag a city council seat in 2023 after having lost a run for city council in 2019. She has worked for J.P. Morgan as a financial analyst for three decades.
The Issues
Longenbaugh encourages making Naperville affordable for "young families, seniors and everyone in between," per her campaign site. She also supports continued development along the Ogden Avenue corridor and encouraging more sustainable developments in the city.
Longenbaugh's platform also supports investing in art programming, cultural events and "new events like Juneteenth and Naper Pride" that will "build an even more inclusive Naperville."
Madhu Uppal has been a Naperville resident for 34 years and has worked as a middle school teacher for District 203 and as a trustee on the Naperville Public Library Board. On her campaign website, Uppal writes, "My vast range of experiences working with diverse groups of people have given me the tools to be a diligent and hardworking representative for the people of Naperville."
The Issues
Uppal's campaign priorities include:
- Improving road safety for pedestrians and drivers
- Supporting responsible development
- Improving programs for children, seniors and young adults
- Improving public safety in Naperville
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