Steve Chirico highlights proudest moments as Naperville mayor in his final State of the City address
In his final State of the City address as Naperville mayor, Steve Chirico described the city he’s lived in for more than six decades as a bright light in Illinois.
“In Naperville, being a bright light means being a place where people have big dreams and encouraging everyone to lend a helping hand. It’s remembering past sacrifices and celebrating future potential,” Chirico said.
The mayor gave his annual speech to the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday night at a gathering in Wentz Hall on the North Central College campus.
Chirico said the city’s light isn’t just one bright blaze but a series of tiny, day-to-day sparks that add up over time, and an idea that has defined his role as mayor the past eight years.
When he was first elected in 2015, Chirico said he asked city administrators to recommit to a customer-first model that could help businesses open or expand more quickly.
That “path to yes” meant recommitting to simple acts and implementing new ones, like giving staff the ability to sign off on some variances that previously needed Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council approval and ensuring businesses have one city contact rather than having to navigate different departments on their own, he said.
In addition, the city will launch new technology that will provide customers with the ability to get permits online.
“I’ve heard from plenty of developers at ribbon cuttings that our community is the easiest one to work with,” Chirico said. “That’s because everyone, from the permit counter to the dais, has you, our customers, in mind.”
The mayor said the council and staff implemented three financial principles: passing a structurally balanced budget, improving services in a cost-effective way and increasing cash reserves while reducing debt.
“I advocated rebuilding our cash reserves after the Great Recession, and I am so proud to stand up here eight years and one major economic event later to say we exceeded our goals,” Chirico said.
Not only did the city reduce debt by almost 36%, he said, cash balances are back up to almost 37% of the 2022 general fund expenses.
“We also lowered the city’s property tax rate during my time in office. Our rate is at a historic 50-year low, which means the city tax on an average home valued at $425,000 is $17 less this year,” Chirico said.
This financial strength is a major reason Naperville continues to attract shoppers, diners and visitors, he said.
“It’s how we can afford to reinvest in our vital economic corridors to make us stand out and shine, and it’s that investment that pays off, even during challenging times,” Chirico said.
By investing in infrastructure projects — like the downtown streetscape — more people want to come and spend their money here, he said.
Another of his proudest accomplishments, he said, has been increasing the diversity on city boards and commissions since 2015.
“Today, almost a quarter of our board and commission members represent one of several ethnicities. Thirty-seven percent of appointees are women. Almost a quarter are in their mid-20s to mid-40s, bringing a younger perspective to the table,” Chirico said.
“These efforts mean our council now hears from boards that better reflect the community’s different viewpoints and experiences,” he said.
No matter who the next mayor is, Naperville will keep its focus on serving customers, he said.
To accomplish that, the city is conducting a citizen survey “to evaluate what we’re doing well and what we can improve on. That’s essential to have as we update our city’s priorities and goals next year,” he said.
To remain financially sound, the city must look at how its policies attract new businesses and reinvest in the community that supports them by creating new principles to guide long-term investment.
This includes ensuring Naperville’s utility infrastructure delivers reliable service, like the 50-year-old Springbrook wastewater treatment plant.
“We are now at the point where significant upgrades and expansions need to be made. This means the city is about to start the largest capital improvement project in our history. Long-term principles will support this and other work so that we do not rely too heavily on one funding source,” Chirico said.
Other work slated over the next few years, he said, includes the Washington Street bridge reconstruction, completion of the downtown streetscape and the North Aurora Road underpass construction.
In 2022, the city achieved 21 sustainability goals, and the staff is now part of seven local and regional groups focusing on this topic, he said.
Working groups are studying biking and walking in Naperville and will launch a survey later this month to get public input. The city also will launch an electric lawn equipment rebate program after a successful pilot last year, he said.
In the push to make Naperville an attractive community, the city is starting a pilot program to add native plantings to some city properties and is planning new entrance signs along major roads, Chirico said.
Another project slated for this year is reconstruction of a portion of the Riverwalk west of Eagle Street to make it more accessible. A grant of nearly $1 million was secured by U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, to help with costs.