Naperville sets ballot order, but mayoral primary still in question
Doug Krause's name will appear first on the ballot when the race to choose the city's next mayor goes to the voters.
"It's nice to be first," said Krause, who is running for mayor for the fifth time.
But the question remains whether the election will begin with a primary Feb. 24 or progress directly to the general election April 7.
Five candidates have filed to run for the city's top elected post to replace longtime Mayor George Pradel, who is stepping down after 20 years. But three objections have been filed to the candidacy of Matthew J. Dubiel, with at least two of them challenging his eligibility based on his residency.
If a hearing to be scheduled soon determines Dubiel is ineligible, a four-candidate race would not require a primary. But if Dubiel stays on the ballot, voters will go to the polls Feb. 24 to narrow the field from five to four.
"Being on the ballot is the most important thing," Krause said.
When Dubiel filed nominating petitions with the Naperville city clerk's office Nov. 24, he listed an address on the 23000 block of Joyce Lane as his residence. Objectors to Dubiel's candidacy, including city council member Robert Fieseler and resident Kurt Dorr, say that address is in an unincorporated area of Will County and not within Naperville's boundaries. Fieseler says documents from the Will County supervisor of assessments, the Will County tax collector and the city of Naperville's planning and zoning department will prove it.
"He doesn't live in the city," said Krause, who has not filed any of the objections against Dubiel. "He's not qualified because of his residency."
Pam LeFeber, city clerk, said her office will notify the DuPage Election Commission of the latest objection, filed by Kathryn DiCianni of the law firm of Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer at 1:18 p.m. on Wednesday, the deadline for such challenges to be submitted. She said her office will announce on Thursday a date and time for a hearing in front of the Naperville electoral board. The hearing likely will be next week and will cover all three objections at once, LeFeber said.
If Dubiel remains on the ballot, his name will appear fifth because he filed his nominating petitions last. Following Krause, the three other mayoral candidates will appear in this order: Marty Walker, James Haselhorst, Steve Chirico.
A lottery held Wednesday also determined the ballot order of the 20-candidate race for eight city council seats.
Council candidate names will appear as follows: Kevin Coyne, Joe McElroy, Dick Furstenau, Bill Eagan, Wayne Floegel, James "Jimmy" Bergeron, Robert Hajek, John Krummen, Paul Hinterlong, Nancy Marinello, David Wentz, Patty Gustin, Judith Brodhead, Harry Thomas O'Hale, John J. Colletti, Stephen M. Purduski, Rebecca Boyd-Obarski, Steve Peterson, Becky Anderson Wilkins and Kevin Gallaher.
No primary is necessary in the city council race, which will be held April 7.