New faces a sure thing in Naperville council election

"One for the ages." "A sea change." "Very, very interesting." "Chaos." "Kind of scary."

However you look at it, one thing is certain: this spring's municipal election in Naperville promises to be different from most as voters prepare to fill all eight city council seats and choose their first new mayor in 20 years.

Because of an unusual sequence of events in Naperville election history, all eight seats on the council are expiring at once instead of on the usual staggered cycle that brings four council members up for election every two years.

"Certainly when you look at this election, it's going to be one for the ages - one we've never seen and probably will never see again - when you have to change over every elected office at one time," Naperville business owner Ray Kinney said.

And because of other political movement - one former council member got elected to the state House, another isn't running for re-election, two more are vying to become mayor - there are only four incumbents in the council race.

With current council members Judith Brodhead, Paul Hinterlong, Joe McElroy and David Wentz among 20 candidates for eight seats, the math of this election could solve itself in a variety of ways.

The new council could have four incumbents. Or it could have zero. Or any number in between.

And that's why some call it "scary."

"It's rare that you have a situation where the entire governing body has the potential to change," said Mike Reilly, Naperville Park District board president. "There could be eight new city council members and there will certainly be a new mayor. It could be dramatically different in the city of Naperville."

The wide-open election means candidates have the opportunity to differentiate themselves and earn a seat for two or four years. The top four-vote getters will claim the longer terms.

"The challenge to the candidates really in this is just being one of 20, how do I stand out? What makes me get noticed?" said Dan Donahoe, vice president of the Naperville Professional Firefighters union. His union hosted the unofficial kickoff to the election season with a candidate meet-and-greet Jan. 22 where voters could meet most of the city candidates.

The crowded field means voter education events that usually would be forums or debates now are split into several sessions or offered as more informal open houses. And the hefty ballot means voters might take one look at the long list of names and give up, said Annette Smith, voter service chairwoman for the League of Women Voters of Naperville.

"In this country, our freedom is freedom to vote or not to vote. It's great that so many people run for office; it would just be great if a lot more people voted for those candidates or at least even tried to find out," Smith said.

"But if the ballot is too big, people get overwhelmed because it requires too much of their work and attention."

Voters certainly have to do more homework, said Hunter Byington, with the Rotary Club of Naperville.

His club is jumping in to help with some of that homework by hosting city council forums Feb. 16, 17 and 18, and a mayoral forum Feb. 26.

This isn't something the club normally would do, Byington said - but then again, April 7 won't be a normal election.

"We're doing it this year because of the large number of candidates and we thought it was a community service to provide the forum at the beginning of the season," Byington said. "While we're not going to endorse any candidate, we just wanted to make sure they have a forum."

Candidates are posting on their websites and filling out candidate questionnaires and attending endorsement interviews where they share their views on issues such as traffic, parking, the city budget, health benefits for city council members and the heroin problem. Yard signs are popping up in neighborhoods and congregating along commercial corridors. Election season is on. Change is coming.

But is it scary? Crazy? Or just different?

"I think it's going to be quite the change. We'll have some new people coming on who will have to catch up with what's going on and our goals and objectives," said Naperville's longtime Mayor George Pradel, who is not seeking a sixth term. "But I think it's going to be a positive change. We need new blood."