New Naperville city council sworn in

A changing of the guard took place in Naperville Sunday, as Mayor George Pradel and three members of the city council — including two newcomers — were formally inaugurated into office.

Pradel won a fifth term as mayor April 5, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. He was inaugurated by U.S. District Court Judge John Darrah, an old friend of Pradel’s.

“I met George more than 40 years ago,” Darrah said before issuing the oath of office. “He was a policeman, and I was just out of law school, a prosector in DuPage County. I realized that he knew more criminal law than I did.”

Pradel, who has said that this term will be his last, brought his family up to share the inauguration with him. A humorous moment came when Pradel explained that his wife, Pat, was home sick, at which point she called him on his cellphone.

After being sworn in, Pradel thanked the community for its support.

“Thank you for the privilege of being mayor for four more years,” he said. “I love the council here.”

DuPage County Circuit Court Judge Robert Gibson issued the oath of office to the three city council members.

Incumbent Councilman Grant Wehrli, who was first appointed to the council in 2005, recited the oath of office while resting his hand on a Bible that belonged to his great-grandparents. He said being a council member was a “labor of love,” and he thanked his wife and children for supporting him.

Steve Chirico and Joseph McElroy were sworn into office for the first time. Both pledged to work hard for all residents of Naperville.

Sunday’s ceremony also featured two goodbyes. Councilman Jim Boyajian, who is retiring from the city council after eight years of service, said he leaves knowing the city is in good hands.

“It has been a pleasure,” he said. “I know the new council will do an excellent job.”

Outgoing Councilman Richard Furstenau, who lost his bid for another term during the April 5 election, read a list of what he considers the council’s top 25 accomplishments during his 12 years in office. The list included such measures as the purchase of the DuPage Children’s Museum property and guiding the city through the recent economic turmoil facing the nation. (The latter he listed as the No. 1 accomplishment.)

“The city council does a lot of good work, much of it unseen,” he said.

Councilman Robert Fieseler, who was re-elected to the council last month, could not attend Sunday’s inauguration because of a family matter. He will be formally sworn in before Tuesday’s regular city council meeting.