Contested mayoral races expected in Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove

The fields for contested mayoral races in Naperville, Wheaton and Downers Grove began taking shape Monday as the filing period for municipal elections began in several DuPage County communities.

The filing period in those three towns - as well as Aurora, where there is no mayoral opening, will close at the end of the day Nov. 26.

Here's an early look at what's happening:

Naperville

Election filing began in Naperville with a high level of interest from nine candidates for four available city council seats and two candidates seeking to be the city's next mayor.

Mayor Steve Chirico, who is rounding out his first term succeeding the late George Pradel, joined the line saying he's ready to lead for another four years, working on priorities such as filling vacant commercial buildings, revitalizing the 5th Avenue area around the train station and keeping the city's finances strong with debt reduction measures.

Filing to oppose Chirico was Rocky Caylor, a Marine veteran who runs a consulting company with his wife and is CEO of a logistics firm in Joliet, who says he has experience building businesses, workforces and economies.

"For nearly two years, neighbors, friends and family have encouraged me to take a leadership role in Naperville and now just seems like the right time," Caylor said in a news release.

Two sitting council members filed nominating petitions at 8 a.m. seeking to retain their seats, three-term council member Paul Hinterlong, and first-term member Patty Gustin.

Hinterlong's filing came with wishes of "happy birthday" from city staff members. Gustin said she's running to continue to support fiscal solvency, business growth and Naperville's "families-first focus."

Former city council member David Wentz filed to seek a new term, as did planning and zoning commission member Bruce Hanson and liquor commission member Whitney Robbins.

Wentz said he wants to work to maintain the city's AAA bond rating and emphasis on public safety.

"I'd like to continue to promote programs that further those causes," he said, along with working to support youths and seniors.

Hanson, who has served on city commissions since 2003, said in a news release he wants to balance the needs of businesses and families, especially as a business owner and father himself.

And Robbins, who grew up in Naperville, said she wants to be more involved as her own kids grow up in town.

"I had a great upbringing here and I want to ensure the future of Naperville," she said.

Newcomers include Bradford Miller, Theresa Sullivan, Michele Hilger Clemen and Patrick Kelly.

Miller described himself as a fiscal conservative and said he wants to have a say in development projects in south Naperville and downtown.

Sullivan, who has one child at each level in elementary, middle and high school, said she wants to protect Naperville's families as its strongest asset.

Hilger Clemen also wants to leave a better future to up-and-coming families.

"I want to protect all of the hard work of all of the Napervillians that came before me," she said.

Kelly, too, says he wants to be more involved in city governance as his three young kids grow up, providing a voice for the next generation.

An election lottery is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Naperville Municipal Center to determine ballot placement for these nine council and two mayoral candidates, who are considered to have filed simultaneously.

Wheaton

In Wheaton, Councilman John Prendiville officially launched his campaign as the first mayoral candidate to submit nominating petitions to appear on the April ballot.

Prendiville turned in his paperwork at the city clerk's office when the filing period opened at 8 a.m. in order to claim the first spot on the ballot in the April 2 election. Another longtime council member, Phil Suess, also has announced his bid to succeed Mayor Michael Gresk, who is stepping down after three terms.

Prendiville served on the council from 2007 to 2011 and again since 2013 after an unsuccessful run to unseat Gresk as mayor. He is the managing director and senior managing counsel for The Bank of New York Mellon Corp., a firm that acts as a trustee for municipal bond issues.

Prendiville already is touting endorsements from two former mayors, Jim Carr and Gwen Henry. Gresk has said he will not make an endorsement in the race.

"I really enjoyed my time on the city council. I'd like to keep the city on the track that we've been on," Prendiville said. "We've been very fiscally responsible, and I think that is the basis for everything we do as a city in terms of providing services and maintaining our infrastructure, and I enjoy working with everybody, and I think that my ability to work with others is one of the reasons why I've gotten the support so far."

Two at-large council seats - held by Prendiville and incumbent Suzanne Fitch - are up for grabs. Nominating papers were filed Monday on behalf of Fitch and Ron Almiron, an attorney who finished out of contention in a crowded GOP primary for two District 4 seats on the county board. Erica Bray-Parker also filed Monday for an at-large council seat.

The Wheaton City Council is composed of six representatives and the mayor. Four council members represent the city's four voting districts, while two members and the mayor are elected at-large.

Four residents - Paula Mesch, Bruce Fogerty, Reda Karaliukas and Jeremy Parker - have pulled nominating packets from the city clerk's office but have not yet filed. It's not yet clear which offices they would seek.

If more than four mayoral candidates or if more than eight at-large city council member candidates emerge, a primary will be held Feb. 26 to narrow the field.

Downers Grove

In Downers Grove, there already appears to be a three-way race to replace Martin Tully, who is stepping down after eight years as mayor because the village has term limits.

Village commissioners Bob Barnett and Marge Earl showed up at village hall first thing Monday morning to file their nominating petitions to run for mayor.

Paperwork also was filed for state Rep. David Olsen, a Downers Grove Republican who lost his re-election bid, to enter the mayoral race.

Despite the filing, Olsen said he hasn't made a final decision on whether he will run for mayor. He said a formal announcement won't be made until after the veto session in Springfield is over.

"I'm still doing this job," Olsen said. "I feel it's only fair to allow this veto session to conclude before I make a final decision."

Olsen is a former Downers Grove village commissioner and former College of DuPage trustee.

Meanwhile, three of the village council's six commissioners are up for election: William Waldack, Bill White and Nicole Walus. Commissioners are elected at-large.

Waldack and Walus on Monday both filed the paperwork they needed to seek re-election.

Aurora

When the city clerk's office opened at 8 a.m. in Aurora, 13 people were waiting to hand in their petitions.

Emmanuel Llamas, Peter Aguilera, Amanda Sperzel and Caryl Riley filed for the Ward 1 seat.

Third Ward Alderman Ted Mesiacos submitted his petition.

Casildo Casey Cuevas, former Kane County Board member Bonnie Kunkel and Alderman Carl Franco filed for the 5th Ward seat.

Matt Harrington, Dan Hites and Alderman Michael B. Saville filed for the 6th Ward seat.

Patty Smith, who lost a bid in November for the 84th state House district seat, submitted a petition for the Ward 8 seat.

And Alderman Sherman Jenkins filed for the alderman-at-large position.

It was the first time since 1934 a city clerk has handled election petitions. They used to be filed with the Aurora Election Commission, but voters decided in April to disband the commission.

• Daily Herald staff writers Robert Sanchez, Susan Sarkauskas, Katlyn Smith, Marie Wilson and Justin Kmitch contributed to this report.