Naperville denies logo use request from mayor's golf outing

Organizers of the Naperville Mayor's Charity Golf Outing will be designing some new graphics after a request to use the city's logo on shirts for participants was turned down.

Four of seven council members who were present for a vote denied the request, citing policy that says the city's logo cannot be altered, used as part of another graphic or put on clothing or memorabilia.

Council member Doug Krause, who acted as mayor pro tem during the vote because Mayor George Pradel was absent, said letting the golf outing use the city logo would set a dangerous precedent that might lead to other groups seeking the same privilege. Plus, people might get the wrong idea that someone wearing a shirt bearing the official city of Naperville logo is a city employee.

"If anyone should be able to use the logo, it's Mayor Pradel," council member Grant Wehrli said. "But it sets a bad precedent that the mayor can use it, and I don't think it's appropriate."

Committee members organizing this year's golf outing said they wanted to do something special to mark the final event while longtime mayor Pradel will be in office and to raise as much money as possible for the 10 children-focused charities it benefits.

"We just thought it would be a really great professional type of logo promoting the mayor, his charitable golf outing and the city of Naperville," committee member Sandy Benson said.

City council member Joseph McElroy called the committee's intention "laudable" but suggested a graphic redesign to avoid violating the policy against city logo use.

Benson said that's what the committee will do as it prepares for the 34th annual event, to be held at White Eagle Golf Club.

Benson said she was surprised by the decision banning use of the city logo. Considerable good can come from the golf outing for organizations such as the Edward Foundation, Almost Home Kids, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation and YMCA of Naperville.

"I personally had not thought that it would evoke any controversy," Benson said. "It's the mayor, and this helps promote the good that is done in the community of Naperville."