Lifestyle

DuPage County mayors look ahead to 2021

Posted January 01, 2021 5:00 am

The Daily Herald asked DuPage County mayors and village presidents to look ahead to 2021 and identify the most important thing they hope their community can accomplish in the coming year. Here's what they said ...

<h3 class="leadin">Addison

<h3 class="leadin">Rich Veenstra

Job One for 2021 is implementation of COVID-19 remediation measures and realization of full economic recovery of our commercial sector. Secondary to that is continued focus on workforce development, infrastructure upgrades to our industrial parks, and the resumption of social events such as Rock 'N Wheels, Fall Fest, and the Mayor's Community Charity Ball.

<h3 class="leadin">Aurora

<h3 class="leadin">Richard Irvin

In 2021, my hope is to restore the complete health of the community through the mitigation, vaccination and eventual eradication of COVID-19. We then can return more than just a sense of normalcy and refocus on the renaissance of the City of Lights. We are still Aurora Strong.

<h3 class="leadin">Bensenville

<h3 class="leadin">Frank DeSimone

Next year will be Bo Jackson's Elite Sports Dome first full year of operation and will allow for Bensenville to solidify its position as a hub for amateur sports and recreation. It is our hope that this unique facility will diversify our economy and drive further investment in our community.

Carol Stream Mayor Frank Saverino

Carol Stream

<h3 class="leadin">Frank Saverino

Goals for 2021 are to keep a balanced budget, assist businesses, and apply for bike path, stream stabilization, road repair and flood control grants. We will also promote our commercial and industrial sector, securing a strong tax base. Our goal is to keep Carol Stream a great place to raise your family.

Elmhurst Mayor Steven Morley says officials are "focused on revitalizing and reviving our community and plan to move forward with projects that were put on hold in 2020." Daily Herald file photo

Elmhurst

<h3 class="leadin">Steve Morley

As we approach 2021, we are focused on revitalizing and reviving our community and plan to move forward with projects that were put on hold in 2020.

<h3 class="leadin">Glendale Heights

<h3 class="leadin">Linda Jackson

Glendale Heights is looking forward to the proposed development of two medium size flex space buildings in the area of Army Trail Road and Cavalry Drive. We are also excited about utilizing grant funding for improvements at Camera Park which include accessible playground equipment, a "Ninja Warrior" style obstacle course, splash pad and outdoor workout equipment.

<h3 class="leadin">Itasca

<h3 class="leadin">Jeff Pruyn

My hope is that our community will continue to rally around local businesses affected by the pandemic and support new business growth downtown. We have a unique opportunity to re-tenant one of Itasca's downtown anchor buildings and attract a dynamic new business to serve the Itasca community for years to come.

Lisle Mayor Chris Pecak said, "We must keep our community safe for those who are eager to participate, while understanding that for some the transition to public engagement may be more tentative." Daily Herald file photo

Lisle

<h3 class="leadin">Chris Pecak

In 2021, we will be challenged in continuing to reopen our economy and grow the office, tourism and travel, and restaurant sectors. Everyone has a different level of comfort regarding COVID-19. We must keep our community safe for those who are eager to participate, while understanding that for some the transition to public engagement may be more tentative. Lisle was one of the first communities to reopen village hall in June, and we'll continue to lead by example with a physical presence in the community.

Lombard Village President Keith Giagnorio

Lombard

<h3 class="leadin">Keith Giagnorio

Despite the financial impacts from the pandemic, a tornado that ripped through Lombard in August, and unfunded state mandates beyond the village's control, Lombard's 2021 budget remains balanced. While the impacts of COVID-19 will be far reaching and budget concerns continue, the village remains committed to facing these challenges head on. As we do so, I look forward to celebrating the dawn of a new year and a hopeful future for our great village.

Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said, "We will continue to navigate the pandemic's impacts through continued focus on lives and livelihoods, including maintaining city services and providing support to impacted businesses and residents." Daily Herald file photo

Naperville

<h3 class="leadin">Steve Chirico

We will continue to navigate the pandemic's impacts through continued focus on lives and livelihoods, including maintaining city services and providing support to impacted businesses and residents. We will also begin a comprehensive visioning and community engagement process that was delayed due to the pandemic to develop an updated strategic plan for the city.

Oak Brook Village President Gopal Lalmalani

Oak Brook

<h3 class="leadin">Gopal Lalmalani

I would hope we can get back to some form of normalcy by summer of 2021, particularly now with the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Now, after a long time, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel for our commercial retailers, our restaurants, and our residents. With the expected return to normalcy or near normalcy, we can concentrate on the growth of new commercial developments that had to be deferred due to the pandemic.

<h3 class="leadin">Roselle

<h3 class="leadin">Andy Maglio

Economic development is always a priority for Roselle, and I look forward to our continued work on the proposed Metro 19 development and additional redevelopment projects throughout town in the upcoming year. I am very hopeful that 2021 will see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic so that we can get back to handshakes and hugs; seeing friends, families, and loved ones; and begin the economic recovery that will be necessary for our residents and businesses to thrive.

Warrenville Mayor David Brummel

Warrenville

<h3 class="leadin">David Brummel

The city will be creative with a conservative budget to accomplish the goals for 2021. The city hopes to complete installation of the new operating system, which will improve city business operations and customer services. The city looks forward to welcoming new residents of the various new residential developments.

West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda

West Chicago

<h3 class="leadin">Ruben Pineda

The city continues to work on its once-in-a-generation Central Main Street Redevelopment Project in the area between the historic downtown and city hall. There are developers revising pro formas and submitting development concept plans for townhouses and mixed-use buildings with commercial buildings and luxury apartments. We look forward to this area's first groundbreaking, which is slated to occur in 2021, with great anticipation.

Wheaton Mayor Phil Suess

Wheaton

<h3 class="leadin">Phil Suess

I hope we can take the ingenuity and resilience our city showed in 2020 and apply it to 2021. Residents and businesses in our community are facing challenges that will not be solved overnight. We need to continue taking measures to protect one another from COVID-19 as long as necessary, and we need to assist our local businesses and one another in the new year to rebuild from a year that challenged us all.

<h3 class="leadin">Winfield

<h3 class="leadin">Erik Spande

In the coming year we hope to continue our record of neighborhood-friendly redevelopment.

<h3 class="leadin">Wood Dale

<h3 class="leadin">Nunzio Pulice

The city's top priority for 2021 remains supporting our community as we have throughout the challenges we encountered in 2020. We have already provided over $500,000 in financial assistance to both residents and local businesses, and will continue providing support in 2021.

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