DuPage County mayors look back on 2020

The Daily Herald asked DuPage County mayors and village presidents to look back on 2020 and identify the greatest accomplishment in their community. Here's what they said ...

<h3 class="leadin">Rich Veenstra, Addison

Clearly, the collaboration of our various local taxing bodies and service organizations, working to address the health, social, and financial needs of our community brought about by the pandemic, was the most significant accomplishment of 2020. In spite of the pandemic, Addison saw significant growth in new housing, as well as strong commercial and industrial growth.

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Richard Irvin, Aurora

During this year of uncertainty, we have come together in Aurora to focus on health and safety amid COVID-19 and doubled down in other areas as well. Even during the pandemic, the City of Lights has continued to see progress in economic development, public safety, education, and community engagement.

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Frank DeSimone, Bensenville

Through a combination of strong fiscal policies, dedicated leadership and community resilience, Bensenville was one of few suburbs where home prices increased this year, and we're really proud of that. In such tumultuous times, it's a big deal for a small community to see this sort of stability and growth.

<h3 class="leadin">Frank Saverino, Carol Stream

A balanced budget was a 2020 priority. Thanks to this success, we kept our promise to eliminate the vehicle sticker for 2021. The pandemic called on us to work closely with our businesses. We cut liquor license expenses in half, quickly approved outdoor tents, and changed the cost of video gaming machines. All to help restaurants survive.

<h3 class="leadin">Steve Morley, Elmhurst

The city of Elmhurst has an ongoing commitment to excellence through years of hard work and uncompromising standards. In 2020, our public safety personnel were exceptionally dedicated to answering this COVID-19 crisis. Beyond emergency medical responses and intense disinfection and PPE protocols, they were also involved in public education, training and planning, of the statewide public health mandates. City staff and elected officials worked hard together to continue vital services and support local business.

<h3 class="leadin">Linda Jackson, Glendale Heights

In a normal year, I would be talking about the economic development along North Avenue. But in this pandemic year, our greatest achievement was adapting. We were able to find a way to open our pool, have community events, feed thousands of families in cooperation with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, sponsor mobile COVID testing sites and have a flu shot clinic.

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Jeff Pruyn, Itasca

Itasca doubled down on its commitment to our children. District 10 provided Itasca parents the choice to send children to school full-time or remote learn. This wouldn't have been possible without the support of parents, teachers and community leaders working together to keep kids safe and families healthy.

<h3 class="leadin">Chris Pecak, Lisle

The most important thing the village of Lisle accomplished in 2020 is that we persevered, despite the adversity of this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Lisle identified our at-risk residents early and worked together to keep our community safe on all fronts. Results show that Lisle's case and death rates per 100,000 population were half of the state of Illinois' and almost half of DuPage County's rate.

<h3 class="leadin">Keith Giagnorio, Lombard

To say that 2020 was a challenging year is an understatement, but Lombard's strength comes from our resilient residents and business owners. As our village continues to face the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, I urge all residents to support the recovery of our local economy by shopping local whenever possible.

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Steve Chirico, Naperville

Whether supporting front-line workers or checking in on neighbors, I am proud of the compassion Naperville residents have shown. As a city, we emphasized stability in these times of uncertainty through continuing to provide all our services, adapting so people could do business with us virtually, and building upon our strong financial base to continue providing the same service levels in 2021.

<h3 class="leadin">Gopal Lalmalani, Oak Brook

As you know, this has been a very difficult year for all of us. Most importantly, we worked diligently to cut or delay any expenditures that did not need to be expended this year. The coronavirus pandemic resulted in severe decline in municipal revenues. We did not have to implement any new form of revenue streams such as new taxation of any kind, and instead tightened our belts to meet the decline. In spite of some serious cutbacks, our staff is still able to deliver great services to our residents, even though at times it had to be in a virtual format.

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Andy Maglio, Roselle

Planning for new economic development growth, like the proposed 5-story, 293-unit Metro 19 apartment building adjacent to the Roselle Metra Station, was a major accomplishment for the village of Roselle this year. Acting as a conduit for information and resources for our residents and our businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and adopting a balanced budget for next year, in spite of budget shortfalls caused by the pandemic, were also important achievements in Roselle in 2020.

<h3 class="leadin">David Brummel, Warrenville

Despite the pandemic, Warrenville saw new restaurants, retailers, and residential developments. The city expanded outdoor dining opportunities for food and beverage establishments. The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness Commission was established to ensure the community continues to be inclusive and welcoming. The city acquired the former Citgo station and began preparing it for redevelopment.

<h3 class="leadin">Ruben Pineda, West Chicago

Citywide efforts to help our community's residents and businesses through the crisis of an unprecedented pandemic dominated our focus in 2020. As part of that focus, providing for the future economic stability of the city was mission critical. Through continued economic development efforts we realized major growth in the DuPage Business Center, with the construction of buildings for Alton Industries, Amazon, Greco and Sons, Scannell Properties and Midwest Industrial Funds. Additionally, both vacant used car dealerships are now occupied. Planet Fitness is taking significant space at the former Hobby Lobby location, the former Tastee Freez location is under contract, and the Cascade Drive-in has obtained needed zoning approvals from the city to proceed with its plans to return as a unique entertainment destination. With General Mills having been purchased the year prior, all key vacant sites are either occupied or soon-to-be occupied - significant accomplishments during the year of the pandemic.

<h3 class="leadin">Phil Suess, Wheaton

Our biggest accomplishment for 2020 was how Wheaton responded to a global pandemic, creatively adapting to help our community get through it together. We continually adjusted to a fluid situation to promote the safety of our community and the financial health of our businesses while learning new ways to provide essential city services to the Wheaton community.

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Erik Spande, Winfield

Winfield's biggest accomplishment is the $70 million redevelopment deal with Northwestern Medicine-Central DuPage Hospital. This new development and the $1.8 million Riverwalk Park and $35 million Winfield Station apartments that are currently under construction will transform our Town Center.

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Nunzio Pulice, Wood Dale

The city recently completed the third phase of a multiyear $20 plus million stormwater project that will provide flood relief to more than 600 homes and improve the quality of life for the entire Wood Dale community.