Naperville mayor shares his life at Lutheran school

Explaining his role as mayor and showing his human side with stories and photos of his pets, Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico recently visited students at Bethany Lutheran Church and School.

The mayor, who has served nearly four years in the city's top office, started with some of the youngest students at the school, the 4-year-old preschoolers, then worked his way up to meeting with first-graders, fourth- and fifth- graders and eighth-graders as well.

Admissions Director Linda Fox said the 4-year-olds thought Chirico "ran the country but wasn't Donald Trump." But Chirico explained that he runs the city instead.

Chirico told students he works with police officers, firefighters, water and electric utility workers, emergency management planners and other professionals to govern the fourth-largest municipality in Illinois.

Older students, intrigued by a personal visit from the mayor, asked where he lives, why he wanted to run for the office, what subjects he enjoyed in school and what inspires him.

"They loved having him," Fox said. "It was really sweet."