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Election filing begins Monday in Aurora, Naperville, Wheaton

Mayoral and city council hopefuls in three DuPage-area communities will begin filing their nominating petitions Monday for the spring municipal elections and a possible primary on Feb. 22.

The filing period begins at 8 a.m. and continues through Friday and then again on Nov. 22 in Aurora, Naperville and Wheaton.

Each of the cities could host a primary if five or more candidates file for mayor or for any individual council seat.

If there aren't enough candidates to trigger a primary, those filing by 5 p.m. Nov. 22 automatically are entered in the April 5 consolidated election.

Aurora

There is no mayoral race in Aurora, but six seats on the city council are up for election next spring: the alderman-at-large post and positions in the first, third, fifth, sixth and eighth wards.

Filing starts at 8 a.m. Monday at the Aurora Election Commission, 323 W. Galena Blvd.

Three candidates have announced their intent to run for the alderman-at-large seat. Richard Irvin, who currently holds the seat, said he intends to seek re-election.

Judd Lofchie, a real estate lawyer who is involved with groups such as Rotary Club and Aurora Business United, said he will file paperwork this week to run for the seat.

“We really need to get Aurora moving, get it working again,” Lofchie said, adding that his focus during his campaign will be on helping business prosper.

Matt Harrington, who runs a consulting company, said he will file Monday or soon after to run for the at-large position. Harrington said he will work on changing the tax structure in the city and better monitoring sex offenders if elected.

Aldermen who currently hold the first, third, fifth, sixth and eighth ward seats Abby Schuler, Stephanie Kifowit, John “Whitey” Peters, Michael Saville and Richard Mervine all said they will run to maintain their seats. No early challengers have announced to run for seats to represent the five wards.

Naperville

Incumbent Mayor George Pradel and City Councilmen Doug Krause and Kenn Miller all have announced plans to lead the city in 2011 and beyond, but two more challengers would need to enter the race to trigger a primary.

Each of the three thinks the likelihood of a primary is slim. Neither Miller nor Pradel is even expected to file Monday. Both said they will be getting their nominating packets in order early in the week

Krause, however, will be at the city clerk's office bright and early.

“I'll be there a bit before 8 a.m., ready to file, then we'll see where we go from there,” Krause said. “I don't think a primary will come into play since there's just the three of us.”

At the council level, incumbents James Boyajian, Robert Fieseler, Dick Furstenau and Grant Wehrli all have expressed their intent to continue their tenures. At least Furstenau and Wehrli plan on filing Monday morning.

“If I'm not there at 8, that means something has happened and I'll be there as soon after that as I can to get in the lottery,” Furstenau said.

Wehrli also doubts a primary will come into play but said he would welcome one.

“I'd be thrilled if there was so much interest in the city that we had to have one,” he said. “But truly I'd be shocked.”

Naperville candidates can file beginning at 8 a.m. at city hall, 400 S. Eagle St.

Wheaton

Expect first-term Wheaton Mayor Mike Gresk at city hall bright and early Monday. On the first day of filing for spring elections, he will not be alone.

Gresk and at least two candidates for at-large seats on the city council Evelyn Pacino Sanguinetti and Jeanne Ives will be there because, they say, first-day filing shows their commitment to the coming campaign.

“I know there are other strategies,” Gresk said. “But I think it demonstrates a certain focus and dedication to get there early for the filing date.”

Filing in Wheaton starts at 8 a.m. at city hall, 303 W. Wesley St.

Gresk faces a challenge from Councilman John Prendiville.

Meanwhile, the race for two at-large council spots, including Prendiville's vacated post, could get crowded. Prendiville said work requirements would delay his filing until midweek.

City Clerk Emily Consolazio said as of late last week 12 people had shown interest in the elections, with Gresk and Prendiville vying for the mayoral position.

However, of the remaining 10, one has decided not to run and another three reached last week said they were still undecided.

Friends of Wheaton Center for History CEO Alberta Adamson said early this month she would run. E-mails sent to Councilwoman Liz Corry, whose seat is up for re-election, were not returned.

Sanguinetti and Ives, however, say they are ready to go.

“There is always the idea that you are ready to go and ready to file,” Ives said about her decision to get in on the first day of filing. “It's more of a matter of showing you are dedicated.”

• Daily Herald staff writers Marco Santana and Marie Wilson contributed to this report.

Mike Gresk
George Pradel
Doug Krause
Kenn Miller