Dunn ready to jump into Naperville City Council role

State Rep. Joe Dunn says he's ready to join the Naperville City Council as soon as the panel is ready for him.

Council members on Tuesday tentatively approved his appointment as an interim councilman to replace Darlene Senger, who was elected in November to fill Dunn's 96th House District seat.

The council is expected to finalize that appointment on Dec. 16. Dunn said Wednesday he plans to attend the meeting and will be ready to be sworn in immediately if the rest of the council - including Senger - so chooses.

Senger had planned to step down at the end of the month but said Wednesday she is open to whatever logistics work out best for the council.

Dunn said he will continue to serve in Springfield until Senger assumes her state post on Jan. 14. He had not sought re-election after six years in the House.

In accepting his interim role, Dunn agreed not to run in the April council election. That means he will serve only about four months before new council members - including Senger's permanent replacement - take their seats.

Dunn said he contemplated running for a council post this coming spring, but decided against it because "right now I've had enough of politics."

But, he says, he's eager to use his experience in accounting and in Springfield to help the city over the next several months, particularly as it addresses its $5.1 million budget shortfall.

"The city council is a great place to serve," he said. "There are just nine people, a big budget and the opportunity to have an immediate impact on the community."

The council voted 8-1 to move forward with Dunn's appointment and Senger said she supports the choice.

"He will be a really good asset," she said. "He's got the financial background I had so it's a nice replacement for me and he has the budget experience and the government experience, which is what we need right now."

Councilman Doug Krause was the only one to express opposition to the appointment, but not because of Dunn personally. Krause said other candidates should have an opportunity to submit their own applications.

Dunn understands Krause's concerns, but says it would have been difficult to find a better candidate.

"It's only for four months," he said, "and they're looking for somebody who's experienced in government and somebody who's not going to run in April. I fill the bill and I'm happy to help out.

"Whenever they're ready, I'm ready to serve."

Dunn, a Republican, rose from relative obscurity as a Wheatland Township trustee in 2002 to replace Mary Lou Cowlishaw, his predecessor in the House. He survived a cancer scare while in office and remains cancer-free.

He has two young sons from a first marriage and a baby girl with his second wife. He cited time away from his family as a main reason for not seeking another term in Springfield, but has not ruled out seeking another public office.

On Wednesday, he said he might even consider a run for the city council in two years.