Wheaton's spring campaign begins to take shape

Candidates will start lining up this morning for a chance to run for Wheaton City Council.

Four seats, representing each of the city's council districts, are up for election on April 7 and nominating petitions can be filed today through Dec. 15 at city hall.

Depending on the number of candidates, there also could be a primary election on Feb. 24.

That's less likely than in the past, however, because the state now requires at least five candidates per geographic area to trigger a primary. That means five people would need to file in a single city district for there to be a primary.

Twenty nominating packets were picked up for all of the races through last week, said City Clerk Emily Consolazio.

Candidates up for election this cycle include Dave Johnson, west district; Howard Levine, south district; Tom Mouhelis, east district; and Phil Suess, north district.

If there are not sufficient candidates to force a primary in any of those districts, placement as it would have appeared in the primary Feb. 24 ballot will move forward to the municipal election April 7.

Certain to be among the biggest issues in the election are the city's current budget crisis and the development of the old Hubble Middle School property.

Council members are working to eliminate a projected $4.3 million deficit in next year's budget. They already raised the sales tax rate and trimmed $3 million in expenses. Last week they announced 17 full-time jobs would be cut next year.

The city is looking to redevelop the 22-acre property that's currently home to Hubble students. They'll head off to their new school in Warrenville next fall.