The Candidate Review Committee
The Candidate Review Committee (CRC) was established in 2020. The CRC will work to make sure you are informed and prepared for the local election. The CRC is seeking candidates that take a pro-business stance, have community involvement, and are prepared for the job. The focus of the committee is to support those who support our business community, though we will provide information on all local candidates that meet with our group.
Candidate Review Committee Goals:
- Establish a respectful relationship with our community’s present and future elected leaders
- Provide a standardized and professional process for vetting candidates while asking about business issues
- Serve as a resource by better informing our members, and the broader community, about their candidates
The endorsements issued by CRC reflect the concerns and interests of the NACC and do not serve to represent the opinions of any individual committee member or their respective organizations.
NACC CRC Candidate Endorsements: 2021 April Election
Jump to Each Race:
Naperville City Council
* Incumbent | ** Did not interview with the CRC
Watch the NACC Election Forum for Naperville City Council
Vasavi Chakka: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
www.vasavichakka.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/chakka4council
Campaign Twitter Page:
www.twitter.com/@chakka4council
Vasavi is an active community leader and an experienced small business owner. She communicated well her knowledge and commitment to issues before the City Council impacting the business community.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Ian Holzhauer: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
www.believeinnaperville.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/believeinnaperville
Campaign YouTube Page:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TM0mo9SvTc
Ian articulated deep understanding and presented creative approaches to 5th Avenue development, affordable housing, and zoning considerations to support downtown Naperville’s balanced growth. He has a reputation of being a calm and respectful collaborator and has demonstrated thorough data gathering without preconceived notions in making his decisions.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
* Benny White: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
https://bennywhite.org
Campaign Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/BennyforNaperville
Campaign Twitter Page:
www.twitter.com/bennywhitearmy6
Campaign Instagram Page:
www.instagram.com/bennywhitearmy6
As an incumbent, Benny has a proven track record of supporting the business community. His interview responses demonstrated clear examples of collaboration and a breadth of relevant experience and accomplishments on key issues.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Other Naperville City Council Candidates
* Incumbent | ** Did not interview with the CRC
** Lucy Chang Evans
Campaign Website:
www.lucyfornaperville.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/LucyForNaperville
Campaign LinkedIn Page:
www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-chang-evans-1a993781
Paul Leong
Campaign Website:
www.voteleong.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/PaulLeong203Board
Allison Longenbauch
Campaign Website:
www.allison4naperville.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/allison4naperville
Campaign Twitter Page:
www.twitter.com/allison4naper
Campaign Instagram Page:
www.instagram.com/allison4naperville
Jennifer Bruzan Taylor
Campaign Website:
www.taylorfornaperville.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/JenniferBruzanTaylorForNaperville
Campaign Instagram Page:
www.instagram.com/taylor_for_naperville
Naperville Park District
* Incumbent | ** Did not interview with the CRC
Watch the NACC Election Forum for Naperville Park District
Mary Gibson: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
www.maryfornaperville.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/MaryforNapervilleParks
Campaign Twitter Page:
www.twitter.com/Mary4NaperParks
Mary communicated a deep commitment to fiscal responsibility and presented sound research comparing neighboring park districts and evaluating competitiveness. She shared good ideas on prioritizing local businesses with contracts and conveyed a strong sense of the integrity and fresh perspective she would bring to the Park Board.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Nag Jaiswal: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
www.Jaiswal.Vote
We were impressed with Nag’s presentation of innovative and out-of-the-box ideas in addressing the issues before the Park District board. He offered thoughtful insights.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
* Mike King: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/Mike-King-for-Naperville-Park-District-Commissioner
As an incumbent, Mike has a standing track record of fiscal responsibility. His commitment to the 50/50 split in fees vs. taxes is a sound stance and his preservation of the Triple A bond rating is a great accolade.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Other Naperville Park District Candidates
* Incumbent | ** Did not interview with the CRC
Leslie Ruffing
Campaign Website: www.lesliefornapervilleparks.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/LeslieForNapervilleParks
Campaign Twitter Page:
twitter.com/Leslie4Parks
Campaign Instagram Page:
www.instagram.com/lesliefornapervilleparks
Alison Thompson
Campaign Website:
www.alisonfornapervilleparks.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/Alison-Thompson-Candidate-for-Naperville-Park-District-Commissioner
Naperville Community Unit School District 203
* Incumbent | ** Did not interview with the CRC
Watch the NACC Election Forum for Naperville Community School District 203
* Charles Cush: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
www.cushfor203.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/cushfor203
Campaign Twitter Page:
www.twitter.com/cush203
As an incumbent, Charles has a solid reputation as a consensus builder. He communicated an in-depth understanding and well-researched knowledge of key issues impacting the school district. He is a well-rounded and experienced candidate.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
* Kristin Fitzgerald: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
www.electfitzgerald.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/fitzgeraldforschoolboard
Kristin has a solid background in the public policy arena and her positions consistently reflect deeply well-researched and data-driven opinions on school board issues. As a strong proponent of accountability to measurable goals, she is committed to driving continued progress and transformation in the district.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Adam Russo: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/arussoforD203
Adam’s extensive experience working in the mental health arena will bring a unique perspective to the school board. We appreciated his interest in soft skills which our workforce demands.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Other Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Candidates
* Incumbent | ** Did not interview with the CRC
Amanda McMillen
Campaign Website:
www.amandamcmillen.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/McMillen4SB203
* Donna Wandke
Campaign Website:
www.vote4wandke203.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/vote4wandke203
Andrew Binkowski
Campaign Website:
www.beagoodcitizen.org
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/Binkowski-for-District-203-Board-of-Education
Campaign Twitter Page:
www.twitter.com/agoodcitizen203
Campaign Instagram Page:
www.instagram.com/beagoodcitzen203
Indian Prairie School District 204
* Incumbent | ** Did not interview with the CRC
Watch the NACC Election Forum for Indian Prairie School District 204
* Susan Taylor Demming: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
www.susantaylordemming4204.com
Campaign Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/schoolboard204
Campaign Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/susandemm28
We were impressed with Susan’s notable accomplishment authoring the Equity Belief Statement for IASB. She has been an active and productive member of the Board and we would like to witness her continued contribution and success.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Supna Jain: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
www.supnajain204.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/SupnaJain204
Campaign Instagram Page:
www.instagram.com/supna_jain204board
We liked Supna’s insights into the strong role the business community plays in the vibrancy of the schools and the community as a whole, as well as her ability to deliberate on tough issues. She presented herself as a passionate, earnest, and well-rounded candidate and she embodies the relevant experience, fresh perspective, and poise that we desire in a board member.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Marina Kosak: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website:
www.kosakforkids.org
Campaign Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/KosakForKids/
Marina is tremendously well qualified, having been a classroom teacher, dean, assistant principal, and principal. She spoke so thoughtfully and presented such detailed and enthusiastic ideas that we thought she was a veteran incumbent!
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Allison Fosdick: NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website: www.allisonfosdick204.wixsite.com/vote
Campaign Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/allisonfosdickfor204
Campaign Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/afosdick
The committee found Allison to be well-informed on the challenges facing the board. She presented specific approaches to relevant issues, especially in the area of re-districting, and conveyed a natural ability to listen and relate to a variety of concerns.
CRC Statement on Endorsement
Other Indian Prairie School District 204 Candidates
* Incumbent | ** Did not interview with the CRC
* Laurie Donahue
Campaign Website: www.lauriedonahuefor204.com
Campaign Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/laurie.donahue.10
Campaign Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/laurieedonahue
Saba Haider
Campaign Website:
www.sabahaider.com
Campaign Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/sabahaider204
Campaign Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/SabaHaider204
Campaign Instagram Page: www.instagram.com/sabahaiderfor204
Robert Harris
Campaign Website:
www.drharris204.com
Kader Sakkaria
Campaign Website:
www.kadersakkaria.com
Campaign Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ksipsd204
Rajesh Narayan
Campaign Website:
www.rajeshfor204.com
Campaign Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/RajeshFor204
Candidates Seeking Election
If you are seeking election to one of these offices, please email Reba Osborne Director of Government Affairs at rosborne@naperville.net about how you can get in front of the Candidate Review Committee for potential endorsement in the next election.
Committee Chairs
CO-CHAIR
Christina Caton-Kitchel
Caton Commercial Real-Estate Group
CO-CHAIR
Kevin Gensler
Dommermuth, Cobine, West, Gensler, Philipchuck, Corrigan and Bernhard, Ltd.
The Candidates receiving endorsements received the supermajority votes from the CRC members. The CRC is made up of members involved in the business community as well as the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Works Legislative Committee.
If you are interested in getting involved in the Business Works Committee, the committee meets the second Tuesday of the month from 4:00 – 5:00 pm.
CRC Committee Members:
- Amanda Kunzer: Good Therapy Counseling, NACC Women in Business Chair
- Emily Ory: Corporate Concepts, Immediate Past Chairman NACC Board of Directors
- John Knobloch: Knobloch Law Firm
- Kris Hartner: Naperville Running Company
- Meena Banasiak: PHOENIX Packaging
- Reba Osborne: NACC Director of Government Affairs
- Ryan McIntyre: Plaidypus Custom Software, NACC Business Works Chair
- Sean LaFortune: Wipfli
Non-Voting Observer: Kaylin Risvold: NACC President & CEO
The endorsements issued by CRC reflect the concerns and interests of the NACC and do not serve to represent the opinions of any individual committee member or their respective organizations.