Mary Gibson, president of the Naperville Park Board, is the first candidate to announce plans to run for election to the Naperville City Council in April 2025.
Gibson, a longtime Naperville resident, is the former director of a data analytics firm and the mother of three.
“I am proud of the work I have done representing our community since being elected to the Naperville Park District Board in 2021,” Gibson said in a news release announcing her candidacy. “It has been an honor serving as your park district president, but as my term draws to an end, I realize that the issues and decisions coming before the next Naperville City Council are too great and too consequential for me to sit on the sidelines.”
In addition to serving as board president for the last three years, Gibson has been recognized as a master board member of by the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
She also has been a member of the Naperville Riverwalk Commission since 2021, serves a member of Naperville’s Community Emergency Response Team, and has graduated from the Naperville Citizen Police Academy and the Naperville Citizen Fire Academy.
Gibson has a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Dayton, a master’s degree in Social Science from the University of Chicago, a certificate in Public Policy Analysis from the London School of Economics, and a certificate in Civic Leadership from Northern Illinois University.
In her announcement, she said her goal in seeking a council seat is to foster unity, maintain fiscal responsibility, champion public safety and “safeguard Naperville’s present and build a bridge to its future, ensuring the city remains the best place to raise a family and a safe and prosperous place for all.”
There are four, four-year terms up for election in April. The seats are currently held by Ian Holzhauer, Paul Leong, Jennifer Bruzan-Taylor and Benny White.
Tuesday was the first day election candidacy petitions were available from the Community Services Department at the Naperville Municipal Center for circulation.
Candidates must be a city resident for at least a year and a registered voter in Naperville. Petitions are to be filed between Oct. 21-28 if a candidate is to be on the ballot.
If more than 16 people file to run, there will be a primary election on Feb. 25.