City Council candidates are scheduled to participate in public forums – Positively Naperville

Polls will be open rom 6AM to 7PM on Consolidated Election Day, Tues., April 1, 2025. Remember! Consolidated Election Day again is during spring break. If planning to be away for spring break, be sure to take advantage of Early Voting. Look for “Vote Here” signs at the Naperville Municipal Center that soon will lead the way. (PN File Photo)

Off and running, City Council candidates filed petitions on Oct. 21, 2024, for the Consolidated Election on April 1, 2025.

Four, four-year seats on the Naperville City Council are up for election on April 1, 2025. 

Flashing back to 7:55AM, Oct. 21, 2024, seven Naperville City Council hopefuls waited at entrance to the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall to begin filing petitions at 8AM.

Prepared with petition packets were Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Derek McDaniel, Benny White, Mary Gibson, Ashfaq Syed, Ian Holzhauer and Meghna Bansal. The first seven in line to file at 8AM Oct. 21 were placed in a lottery for listing on the ballot.

Farid Shabazz filed Oct. 23, followed by Nag Jaiswal. After petition challenges by three residents to the latter two filings, Shabazz was disqualified. Now eight candidates remain on the ballot. 

On Dec. 4, 2024, the public was welcome to observe the lottery drawing by City Manager Doug Krieger to determine ballot order. The top spot went to Benny White followed by Mary Gibson, Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Ian Holzhauer, Derek McDaniel, Meghna Bansal and Ashfaq Syed. Nag Jaiswal was listed later and last.

Meanwhile, pay attention to all local issues. Note the Naperville City Council approved a $641.14 million budget for 2025. Note local boards, commissions and task forces. Be grateful for all who serve honorably. Note importance of public safety while addressing public concerns regarding screeching vehicles and loud mufflers throughout town as well neighborhood disturbances and unruly dogs. Know Naperville rules regarding placement of campaign signs. Know procedures for reporting sidewalks in need of repair. Become an educated voter. Talk to family, friends and neighbors. Watch City Council meetings on the first and third Tuesdays in February and March streaming online. 

‘One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.’ —Plato

Naperville City Council Forums / Meet & Greets / Fundraisers

Feb. 11 / Monarch Landing hosts City Council Hopefuls

Residents at Monarch Landing will have a chance to meet City Council candidates from 6:30PM to 8:30PM Tues., Feb. 11, at the senior living community on Naperville’s northwest side.

Feb. 12 / Roaring 20s Fundraiser to Re-Elect Jennifer Bruzan Taylor to City Council

Dan Jurjovec and Ray McGury and Committee will host a fundraising event for the re-election of Jennifer Bruzan Taylor for City Council from 5:30 to 7PM on Wed., Feb. 12, 2025, at the Empire Speakeasy located upstairs at 48 W. Chicago Ave. in downtown Naperville. $ 50/ticket ($75 Couple). Sponsorships are welcome. For info about the campaign, visit taylorfornaperville.com.

March 8 / CAWA & AIANA City Council Forum at Nichols Library

Nancy Chen of the Chinese American Women in Action (CAWA) and Madhu Uppel of the Alliance of Indian Americans of Naperville Area (AIANA) will host a City Council Forum from 1:30PM to 3:30PM Sat., March 8, at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. Asian Americans comprise 20 percent of Naperville’s residents and contribute to the economic and cultural vibrancy of the city. The forum will provide opportunities for voters to gain better knowledge about the 8 candidates who are vying for 4 seats to serve the city and the community. The public is welcome.

March 20 / Naperville Senior Task Force Public Forum – City Council

John Gallagher & Gwenn Lloyd, Co-chairpersons of the Naperville Senior Task Force, have planned the Naperville Senior Task Force Public Forum to present candidates for City Council from 7PM to 8:30PM Tues., March 20, in Council Chambers, at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street.

March 25 / NCTV City Council Forum Streamed Live for On Demand

The City Council Forum will be moderated by Mark Wright and Nicki Anderson. These discussions will stream live at 7PM Tues., March 25, on NCTV17.org and be available on demand the following day.

‘Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good: ‘Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm.’ –Ralph Waldo Emerson

March 17 / Early Voting begins – 15 days before Consolidated Election

In-person Early Voting begins Mon., March 17, 2025, at the Naperville Municipal Center and other Naperville locations in DuPage County and Will County for the April 1, 2025, Consolidated Election. Other locations may be listed when available.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE! TELL FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS! Election Day again falls during Spring Break for School Districts 203 & 204! This message reminds all residents to remember to VOTE EARLY from March 17 thru March 28, before Spring Break departures.

Polling Hours at the Naperville Municipal Center, aka City Hall:

• Monday through Sunday.
• 8AM to 7PM, Weekdays
• 9AM to 5PM Weekends.

April 1 / Polling Places are open from 6AM to 7PM on Election Day

2025 Consolidated Election

The 2025 Consolidated Election on April 1 also will include hopefuls to fill seats on School District 203 and School District 204 Boards of Education, Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners and College of DuPage Board of Trustees.

For the long list of forums featuring candidates running in all local Consolidated Elections, visit PN’s Voters Guide.        —PN