12 council, 2 mayoral candidates file paperwork in Naperville

It'll be a crowded ballot for the spring election in Naperville.

Election filing began Monday in the city with 12 candidates emerging for four available city council seats and two candidates seeking to be the next mayor.

Candidates who want to run in the April 4 election have until the end of the day Monday, Nov. 28, to submit their nominating petitions.

If there are more than four mayoral candidates or more than 16 city council candidates, the field will be trimmed through a primary election on Feb. 28.

City Councilman Benny White and Naperville Liquor Commission member Scott Wehrli are vying to become Naperville's next mayor. Incumbent Steve Chirico announced in July he wouldn't seek a third term.

In a statement on social media, Wehrli said he thought about mentors such as former Naperville Mayor George Pradel as he filed his petitions on Monday morning.

"This was an emotional moment for me as I reflected upon those looking down from above and knowing they were there with me in spirit," he said.

Four city council seats are open in the April election, but Patrick Kelly is the lone incumbent who will be on the ballot. Patty Gustin has been elected to the DuPage County Board. Term limits prevent Paul Hinterlong from running again, and Theresa Sullivan announced last week she wouldn't seek a second term.

In a statement announcing his reelection campaign, Kelly noted the city's strong finances and the ordinances passed during his first term.

"I thank residents for the privilege of serving as a council member and am asking for the community's support again to ensure that Naperville remains the best place to raise a family for generations to come," he said.

Other city council candidates filing their paperwork Monday were Meghna Bansal, Nag Jaiswal, Allison Longenbaugh, Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, Josh McBroom, Derek McDaniel, Ashley South, Ashfaq Syed, Jodi Trendler, Madhu Uppal and Nate Wilson.

Other than Kelly, Longenbaugh is the only candidate who previously has run for city council.

"I've attended every council meeting since 2019 and ran for council in 2021 because I didn't want to be a spectator anymore," she said in a statement. "I fell short but have never stopped working for Naperville."