Naperville councilman considering mayoral bid
Naperville City Councilman Kenn Miller is considering a run for mayor next year.
Miller announced Friday he is forming an exploratory committee to help him gauge support for a bid to unseat longtime incumbent George Pradel.
"I really love Naperville and serving the community so I would like to continue to do that," he said. "I think I have a different style and a different approach and I bring some different experience I think would be useful to Naperville."
Pradel, 72, has been at the city's helm for more than 15 years and has not yet indicated whether he will run for a fifth term. He could not be reached for comment Friday.
Miller, 65, works as vice president of community relations for Autism Home Support Services and has served on the city council since 2005. He also has been a member of the plan commission and a Wheatland Township trustee.
If elected to the city's highest post, he said he would focus on "job creation, revenue improvements, bringing jobs and businesses back to Naperville."
A Naperville resident since 1995, Miller also has been involved with the Naperville Exchange Club and Downtown Rotary Club. He is a member of both the Naperville Development Partnership and Downtown Naperville Alliance boards, past president of the River Run Homeowners Association and founded the South Homeowners of Wheatland Association.
In the 2009 city council election, Miller received the third-highest number of votes in a 13-person field.
He said his strengths include thoroughly evaluating issues that come before the council and being able to work with councilmen, staff and residents alike.
"I'm certainly a collaborator and I listen, look for ideas and suggestions and reach out to the community," he said.
In recent votes on the council, Miller has approved a Smart Grid energy initiative, installation of downtown security cameras and allowing overnight parking in the downtown. He also approved a $2 monthly garbage collection fee and 2-cent-per-gallon increase in the motor fuel tax to help plug what once was a $14.1 million budget hole.
Miller acknowledged running against the longtime mayor who is known for being the city's biggest cheerleader would be challenging.
"We all like George," Miller said. "George certainly has shown he can be a formidable competitor in a political race so it would not be easy if he decides to run. ... I'm not blind to his popularity but I'm prepared to show differences in what I can provide the community."