How Naperville council candidates think the city should tackle affordable housing
Posted3/2/2021 5:29 AM
Acknowledging the importance and complexity of increasing Naperville s affordable housing stock, the 11 candidates running for city council have varying ideas for achieving what has been a long-standing community goal.
While some council hopefuls support exploring the adoption of an inclusionary zoning ordinance a policy that would set affordable housing requirements for residential developers other concepts floated during Daily Herald endorsement interviews ranged from development incentives to the preservation of existing housing units.
John Krummen and Benny White are seeking to retain two of the four open seats. Their challengers in the April 6 election are Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Vasavi Chakka, Lucy Chang Evans, Jim Haselhorst, Ian Holzhauer, Paul Leong, Allison Longenbaugh, Vincent Ory and Mark Urda.
District 203 incumbents, challengers divided on $10 million tax rebate
Posted2/25/2021 5:20 AM
The three incumbents seeking reelection to the Naperville Unit District 203 school board say they re proud of their decision to reimburse taxpayers a total of $10 million in unanticipated surplus funds.
But in recent Daily Herald endorsement interviews, all six of their challengers questioned whether the money could have been better spent on other priorities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, such as expanding in-person opportunities or addressing learning gaps.
Board President Kristin Fitzgerald, Vice President Donna Wandke and board member Charles Cush are vying to retain three of the four open seats. Running against them in the April 6 election are Amanda McMillen, Christi Helm, Thomas Andrew Binkowski, Robert Reed, Adam Russo and Bill Eagan.
Naperville Unit District 203 is in the midst of a three-week virtual program aimed at promoting a positive mindset, building resiliency and fostering social-emotional health.
Naperville District 203 to rebate taxpayers $10 million in surplus funds Naperville Unit District 203 is giving some property tax money back as a result of a budget surplus resulting from the pandemic. daily herald file photo, 2014
Updated 1/22/2021 6:21 PM
Faced with an unexpected surplus after schools shut down last spring, Naperville Unit District 203 plans to repay taxpayers a total of $10 million to help ease the financial burden of the COVID-19 crisis.
The statewide stay-at-home order halted in-person operations from March through the end of the 2019-20 academic year, saving the district money in areas of utilities, transportation, food service and staffing, Chief Financial Officer Michael Frances said.
Updated 1/13/2021 4:28 PM
Set to begin a hybrid learning model next week, Indian Prairie Unit District 204 is looking ahead to possible COVID-19 screening and vaccination strategies to support its reopening plans.
The voluntary surveillance test would not be diagnostic, but it could help identify potential virus cases among staff members and students in some grade levels, Superintendent Adrian Talley said this week. Other nearby districts, including Naperville Unit District 203 and Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200, are implementing similar screening procedures this month.
District 204 school board members are expected to hear a presentation Jan. 25 about the testing program, including the terms of a proposed contract and details pertaining to who will qualify.