Election filing begins today in four DuPage cities

Candidates for mayoral and city council races will be filing nomination petitions starting this morning in four of DuPage County's largest cities in preparation for a possible primary election next spring.

The filing period for the consolidated primary election - which, if necessary, will take place Feb. 24 - ends Nov. 24.

Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove and Aurora all require candidates for council and mayor to file during the primary filing period.

A primary will occur in races only where more than four people file for one seat. If that happens, the primary will narrow the field to four in advance of the general election this spring.

For now, a mayoral primary appears likely only in Naperville, where at least six people are hoping to replace George Pradel, who is stepping down after 20 years at the city's helm.

Naperville

Overall, the Naperville ballot is looking to be a crowded one, with all eight council seats up for grabs, along with the mayor's office.

City council members Doug Krause and Steve Chirico both are opting to run for mayor instead of seeking re-election to their current position.

At least four other residents have picked up election packets with the intent of possibly running for mayor, including dental office manager James Haselhorst, retired firefighter Marty Walker, Ed Wilkins (who also may be considering a run for council) and one anonymous candidate.

All eight seats on the city council will be up for grabs.

More than two dozen people have expressed interest in the positions, which include a seat being vacated by Grant Wehrli, who was elected state representative for the 41st District.

A total of more than 32 people need to file to run for a council position to trigger a primary.

Wheaton

Michael Gresk recently said he does not know of anyone planning to challenge him as he seeks his third term as Wheaton mayor.

Besides the mayoral seat, there are two at-large city council positions available that are held by John Prendiville and Evelyn Pacino Sanguinetti.

Prendiville, who has served on the council since 2007, has picked up a packet, along with at least two other residents who are interested in running for the city council seats.

Sanguinetti will be sworn in as Illinois' lieutenant governor in January. She's expected to resign before then, at which point the city will have 60 days to appoint someone to her at-large position.

Downers Grove

At least one of the three commissioner seats up for grabs in Downers Grove will not be filled by an incumbent.

Commissioner Geoff Neustadt is opting not to seek re-election and instead will challenge Mayor Martin Tully for the village's top spot.

Neustadt has served on the village council since 2007 and was appointed mayor pro tem in 2013. Tully was a commissioner from 2001 to 2009 before his election as mayor in 2011.

Mayors in Downers Grove are limited to two consecutive 4-year terms.

The other two commissioner seats are open because the terms of Sean Patrick Durkin and Becky Rheintgen's are ending. According to village officials, both Durkin and Rheintgen have picked up packets, suggesting their interest in running for re-election.

Aurora

In Aurora, six aldermanic seats will be open, including two seats that represent the portion of the city located in DuPage County.

Eighth Ward Alderman Rick Mervine and At-Large Alderman Richard C. Irvin both plan on filing for re-election. Mervine, who has been an alderman since 2008, represents an area in DuPage County, while Irvin, now in his second term, represents the whole city.

Other seats up for grabs include the alderman seats for the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th wards. Those positions are held by Kristina Bohman, Ted Mesiacos, John S. Peters and Michael B. Saville, respectively.