Any Naperville property taxpayer who thinks they can do the job better than Mayor Scott Wehrli can walk into the Municipal Center at 400 S. Eagle St. starting Tuesday, July 28, and pick up a petition packet to run against him.
Wehrli made that race official one day earlier. On Monday, July 27, the mayor announced in a written statement that he will seek a second four-year term in the April 6, 2027, municipal election. He is the first declared candidate. No challengers have emerged.
What Wehrli is running on
The mayor laid out four priorities: improving public safety, keeping the city affordable, improving fiscal responsibility and transparency, and upholding the city's values.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve the community I love, and proud of what we've accomplished together, but the job isn't done and the next four years will matter," Wehrli said. "We need leaders who will protect our neighborhoods, keep taxes reasonable, support a strong business climate, and make sure Naperville stays a great place for families, seniors, young professionals, and small businesses."
On affordability, Wehrli has pointed to the city's retail sales tax base as a buffer against property tax increases. In a July 15 Naperville Development Partnership release, he noted that Naperville recorded more than $5.7 billion in retail sales in 2025 and retained its position as the top suburban sales tax generator in the Chicago metro area. The city also holds top bond ratings from both S&P (AAA) and Moody's (Aaa), a distinction it has maintained for more than 30 years, according to the same release.
What those priorities mean in practice for homeowners along Ogden Avenue, commuters on the Metra BNSF line, or families near Centennial Beach will depend on budget decisions the council takes over the next year. Wehrli has not released a detailed policy platform beyond the four broad themes.
Wehrli's background
Wehrli, a lifelong Naperville resident and 1987 Naperville Central graduate, is principal owner of DuKane Precast, a prefabricated concrete company with more than 200 employees. He also holds more than 32 years of sworn law enforcement experience as a part-time lieutenant with the Naperville Park District Police.
Before winning the mayor's office in 2023, Wehrli served 20 years on the Naperville Development Partnership board, including two years as chairman. At 24, he was appointed by then-Mayor Sam Macrane as the youngest liquor commissioner in city history, a role he held for 29 years under three mayors.
The race ahead
Five seats are on the April 6, 2027, ballot: mayor and four at-large city council positions, all four-year terms. Candidacy petition packets are available at the Community Services Department, Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., weekdays beginning at 8 a.m. Candidates must be registered voters who have lived in Naperville for at least one year.
The filing period opens at 8 a.m. Monday, October 19, and closes at 5 p.m. Monday, October 26. If more than four candidates file for mayor, a consolidated primary will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2027.
The current council includes members Mary Gibson, Ian Holzhauer, Supna Jain, Patrick Kelly, Josh McBroom, Ashfaq Syed, Benjamin White, and Nate Wilson. Which of those seats are up in 2027 has not been confirmed in available city records. Residents can check naperville.il.us for updated candidate filings.
City Hall week ahead
- Wednesday, August 5, 7 p.m.: Naperville City Council, Council Chambers, 400 S. Eagle St. Agenda not yet posted; check naperville.il.us/government for updates.
- Petition packets available now: Community Services Department, Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., weekdays starting at 8 a.m.
