Pradel, two councilmen considering run at mayoral seat

Naperville Mayor George Pradel has just "one little item" on his list of unfinished business. And that "little" item may just be enough for him to seek a fifth term.

Pradel pulled his election packet late Tuesday and was the 11th potential candidate for citywide races to do so. But he doesn't expect to make a final decision about running in the April 2011 election until Aug. 30 and declined to give even a hint of what his unfinished business may include.

"I'm meeting with my people on Monday morning and I'll know more after that," he said. "I'm just about there. I want to run."

Pradel first was elected in 1995 and is one of the city's longest-serving mayors. But the former police officer says his long-running political support can't be taken for granted.

"I feel really good about walking downtown to get my morning cup of coffee and having people yell 'Hey mayor!'" he said. "But I know there's more than that to being mayor. You have to work hard and I think I have more of that in me."

He said his doctors agree, as long as he continues his morning rehabilitation exercises as he continues to recover from a minor heart procedure in February.

"My doctors say I'm good, I feel good and (wife) Pat says I should give it another go if I still have the passion," he said. "And I know I do."

Six-year Councilman Kenn Miller said he also has developed a desire to "lead the city, but with a different approach."

Miller formed an exploratory committee in June to gauge citywide support and said he has gotten positive feedback throughout the summer.

"The response has been very good, very positive so we'll be making an announcement in the next few days," Miller said. "It's a recent decision I've made to pursue this after analyzing my situation and current position in life."

Pradel said he would be delighted to have Miller enter the race, calling him a longtime family friend.

"I would be delighted because we could have a good clean race and I would never have to worry about him playing any dirty tricks," Pradel said. "Kenn is a great entrepreneur and a gentleman who is great for the city."

Kenn also spoke highly of Pradel and said he's done a great job.

"Since this has started, I've said if I run, I would run for office of mayor and not against any other candidate," Miller said. "And that's just the way it's going to be."

Longtime Councilman Doug Krause, who has run for mayor unsuccessfully in the past, said Wednesday he has not yet made up his mind about whether to try again.

Potential candidates must file their paperwork with at least 189 signatures by Nov. 22 to be eligible for the April 5 consolidated election.