Anonymous Petition Circulates Suggesting Woodridge, Other Communities Be Annexed Into Naperville

The mayors of Woodridge, Naperville, Warrenville and Lisle will meet Monday for a joint press conference to discuss the possibility of annexing all of the towns into Naperville.

Last Tuesday, an anonymously written petition was submitted suggesting the annexations, the Chicago Tribune reported. If accepted, that measure would be placed on the ballot for the April 4 election.

According to a release from the City of Warrenville, the mayors are convening Monday to address the annexation petitions and the formal objections to those petitions that will be filed by specific communities.

The Tribune reported that local mayors said they couldn’t see any “merit or benefit” in merging all four communities, though residents — hundreds, in some cases — have signed the petitions.

The Lisle petition includes 221 signatures, the Warrenville petition has 81 and the Woodridge petition has 51. It is not known if the petitions submitted are sufficient to have the referendum question added to the ballot or what other criteria might have to be met.

Naperville’s mayor, Steve Chirico, told the Tribune he met with someone months ago to talk about annexation in general. He said he doesn’t support the move to annex Woodridge, Warrenville and Lisle.

Warrenville mayor David Brummel said he considers the petition a non-issue, since the individual communities are unique and strong.

“Communities revolve around culture, and the people of Warrenville love our culture,” he told the Tribune.

Woodridge officials declined to comment until more information about the initiative is known.

Joe Broda, Lisle’s mayor, agreed with Brummel.

"Naperville has unique characteristics, Lisle has unique characteristics. We all have unique characteristics, we're different, and that provides value," Broda said. "To me, it doesn't make any sense. It's laughable."

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