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Accomplished Business Leader Enters Race for Mayor of Naperville, Seeks to Unite Community

Above / Scott Wehrli launches campaign for Mayor of Naperville and he welcomes input.

Local business executive, civic leader, and public safety official Scott Wehrli has launched his campaign for Mayor of Naperville. After serving for decades on various boards and commissions, this is his first time seeking elective office.

“Naperville is correctly ranked as one of the best places in the nation to call home, and I’ve been blessed to live here my entire life. By respecting our history, leading with purpose, and responsible planning, we can make sure the community we all love is here for generations to come,” said Wehrli. “My platform is focused on the building blocks that made our community great: public safety, economic growth, and fiscal responsibility. Naperville must keep adapting and evolving so that more families and individuals can have the opportunity to grow, enjoy life, and retire in a community that is unique to anywhere else in the country.”

Wehrli, a lifelong resident, manages his local, family-owned business in the construction industry, which employs more than 200 people.

In 2007, Wehrli helped co-found a local community bank that specialized in loans to area residents and businesses. That bank was listed on the NASDAQ exchange in 2015 and merged in 2017 with a larger Illinois bank, and is now ranked among the top 100 in the country. He continues to serve on the bank’s board of directors.

As a young man, Wehrli felt the call to public service and has worked part-time as a sworn police officer with the Naperville Park District for the past 32 years and currently serves as a Lieutenant. Additionally, at the request of the past three mayors, for the past 29 years Wehrli has served on Naperville’s Liquor Commission.

“The mayor’s top responsibilities are to set the tone in our public processes, collaborate with community organizations, and most of all, listen respectfully to the many viewpoints as we make decisions that impact our community’s future,” said Wehrli. “I’ll bring all my experiences as a job creator, construction executive, finance leader, police officer, and trustee of nonprofit organizations to help our city council make policies that strengthen our community.”

Wehrli’s priorities for the community

Public Safety

Ensuring the safety and security of residents is the most solemn duty of local government and Naperville’s public safety departments remain leaders in their fields. As a sworn law enforcement professional, Scott has unique insight and appreciation for the increasing safety threats facing our community and how mental health support and addiction treatment must play a vital role going forward. The safety of residents and families will be his top priority as Mayor.

Economic Development & Growth

A growing economy provides the resources needed for local government to invest in infrastructure, public safety, amenities, and our schools. Scott is committed to a principled economic development strategy that calls for top-notch development and revitalizing idle or underutilized properties to provide jobs and economic advancement for citizens. The City can reduce the burden of residential property taxes by continually attracting new investment in the community’s commercial and industrial sectors.

Respect for ‘The People’s Money’

Taxpayers work hard for their money, and the government’s resources are actually “The People’s Money.” As citizens and businesses deal with crushing inflation and an uncertain economic climate, elected leaders must respect every taxpayer dollar they’ve been given and spend public resources wisely. Scott’s experiences as a business leader, banking executive, and non-profit trustee have taught him the importance of fiscal responsibility. He’ll lead the city council’s budgeting process to ensure the city operates efficiently while maintaining excellent service levels.

In Naperville, the Wehrli name dates back to 1840

Naperville residents are likely familiar with many members of Scott’s direct and extended family, many of whom have been politically active for decades.

Scott is the adopted son of notable businessman and philanthropist Richard Wehrli and his mother, Judy, who passed in 2021.

His first cousins, Mary Lou Wehrli and Grant Wehrli are his extended family’s most recent members to serve in public office. The Wehrli family’s storied history in Naperville dates back to 1840.

“I know firsthand how living in Naperville can change the trajectory of a person’s life, and my passion for running is our community and the people and organizations who make it a special place to live,” said Wehrli. “I’m running to provide locally-focused leadership in the mayor’s office and pledge to set aside partisan political division so that our city can stay focused on the local policies to improve our neighborhoods and quality of life.”

The campaign will host its first in-person event in the coming weeks.

Submitted by [email protected].

Editor’s Note / Just back from a brief getaway, PN was greeted with the above news release from the Scott Wehrli for Naperville Mayor campaign. Our history with Scott Wehrli dates back to Joe Naper Days at Naper Settlement when he served the Naperville Park District Police. We were new to Naperville in 1993 and Wehrli was relatively new to his position. At other special events through the years such as Ribfest and Last Fling, Wehrli has been a constant. When we’ve attended Liquor Commission meetings, we’ve also observed Liquor Commissioner Wehrli’s dedication toward keeping the community safe.

The Naperville Development Partnership named its conference room in honor of Dr. Hal Wilde, Recognizing his contributions to local economics and service to the community. Pictured here with Wilde (far right) are NCC Trustee Scott Wehrli, NDP President Christine Jeffries and Benna Wilde. (PN File Photo 2013)

The next Naperville Mayoral Election is Tues., April 4, 2023.

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