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: 2020 November Election
Illinois House 41
Grant Wehrli (R): NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website: http://grant4illinois.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElectGrantWehrli/
Janet Yang Rohr (D)
Campaign Website: https://www.janetforillinois.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jyangrohr/
CRC Statement on Endorsement of Grant Wehrli
The CRC acknowledged Representative Wehrli’s long-standing commitment to the business community since he was first elected in 2014. He has been a vocal opponent to the graduate income tax and the minimum wage increase. He has influence in Springfield serving on the Labor & Commerce Committee as well as the Assistant Minority Leader.
Illinois House 42
Ken Mejia-Beal (D): NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website: https://kmbfor42.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kmbfor42/
Amy Grant (R)
Campaign Website: https://electamygrant.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/electamygrant/
CRC Statement on Endorsement of Ken Mejia-Beal
As a newcomer to the political scene, the CRC was impressed by his professional background in finance and insights into property tax analytics. They like his ideas about the use of tax credits to support small businesses. He communicated creative ideas regarding green tax credits for business owners. He acknowledged that state funds had not been invested correctly in the past and called for a state budget being passed based on available revenues.
Illinois House 81
Laura Hois (R): NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website: https://laurahois.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/laurahoisforstaterep/
Anne Stava- Murray (D)
Campaign Website: https://www.teamstavamurray.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StavaMurray/
CRC Statement on Endorsement of Laura Hois
The CRC found her to have a strong platform for curbing government spending. They like her comments on the definition of essential workers and interest in better protecting small businesses should future opening guidelines become restricted. She is committed to job growth through tax relief to small businesses as a vehicle to move beyond the pandemic.
Illinois House 84
Unopposed
CRC Statement on Endorsement of Stephanie Kifowit
Although Rep. Kifowit is running unopposed, the CRC was pleased to interview her and examine her views. The CRC applauds her speaking out against Mike Madigan as Speaker of the House. She voted against the minimum wage increase in 2019 out of concern for the lack of provisions needed to help businesses absorb the new requirement. She spoke to the CRC in favor of creating a more equitable re-opening plan to better support small businesses.
DuPage County Board District 5
Kevin Coyne (R): NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website: https://coynefordupage.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/coyne4dupage/
Amy Chavez (D)
Campaign Website: https://www.amychavez2020.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/amychavez2020
CRC Statement on Endorsement of Kevin Coyne
The CRC acknowledged his proven track record of his pro-business vote while on Naperville city council. He is committed to reducing the tax burden and reducing government spending through consolidating government units and reducing the size of the DuPage County Board, saving significant dollars in salaries.
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County District 5
Mary Lou Wehrli (R): NACC ENDORSED
Campaign Website: https://www.whomarylou.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Mary-Lou-Wehrli-Commissioner-Forest-Preserve-District-345077112170538/?view_public_for=345077112170538
Barbara O’Meara (D)
Campaign Website: https://barbo4forestpreserve.com/
Campaign Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BarbO4ForestPreserve
CRC Statement on Endorsement of Mary Lou Wehrli
The CRC was drawn by her passion for her role with the Forest Preserve. She is committed to paying down bonds and has a track record of supporting lean staff. The CRC specifically liked her innovative look at creating income-producing assets such as corporate sponsorship of events and programs at the Forest Preserve.
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 Key Initiative Voter Guidance
Graduated Income Tax
Vote No
The CRC position is this proposed tax amendment is bad for business.
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.
Interviews for the November 2020 election were conducted the fourth week of September and will occur in early 2021 for the April 2021 election.
Committee Chairs
Christina Caton-Kitchel
Caton Commercial
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
- John Koranda: Naperville Bank and Trust
- Kris Hartner: Naperville Running Company
- Mari Rodriguez: DynaCom Management
- 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