Staci Boyer, a local business owner and commander of Naperville’s Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, is running for Naperville City Council.
“I’m running because I believe we need to protect what works, address the areas where we can do better, and make responsible decisions today that prepare Naperville for the future,” Boyer said in her candidacy announcement. “I will bring thoughtful leadership, practical problem-solving and a commitment to serving the entire community to the city council.”
Boyer is joining seven other candidates who have confirmed their intent to run, including Indian Prairie District 204 School Board President Laurie Donahue, Naperville District 203 School Board members Marc Willensky and Kristine Gericke, council incumbents Josh McBroom, Nate Wilson and Supna Jain, and newcomer Xavier Sims.
There are four, four-year seats open on the council. Two-term incumbent Patrick Kelly is not seeking reelection.
In her announcement, Boyer said there are three areas she intends to focus on in her campaign: affordability, safety and sustainable economic growth.
“I’ve lived here for a really long time and raised my kids here and one of the reasons is because of the infrastructure Naperville provides,” Boyer said in an interview Thursday, citing the Naperville Police Department’s new Mobile Crisis Intervention Team as an example.
As a council member, she wants to continue to ensure the city has strong public safety while also listening to first responders and asking them how the city can better support them.
“For me, it’s not about going in and changing things that are being done right, but to continue forward momentum,” she said.
As for affordability and economic growth, Boyer said she would like to see the city attract more businesses to not only strengthen Naperville’s economy but also lower the property tax burden for residents.
Boyer, 55, has lived in Naperville for about 22 years. A Gulf War veteran, she was a hospital corpsman and surgical technician during her 12 years in the U.S. Navy.
Her role as a commander of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, which she’s held since 2024, has sharpened her listening skills and made her a better advocate for veterans, she said.
Boyer is also serving her second year on the VFW National Legislative Committee, where she has helped advance a state bill to protect and repair veterans’ burial sites.
She also helped author a national VFW resolution for reproductive and gynecological health care for female veterans. One of the main goals of the resolution was to ensure that the VFW has consistent standards when advocating for and discussing women’s healthcare.
Prior to serving on the national legislative committee, Boyer said she had a hard time imagining herself serving in an elected office. After she started advancing the state law to protect veterans’ burial sites, she realized how much work went into passing policy.
“And then the more I talk to people, the more (I realized) that people need somebody that’s willing to do that work,” she said. “So I never really thought of running for office before until people kind of started mentioning, ‘Hey, you would be good at this.’”
She was drawn to the council specifically because the role is nonpartisan. Serving in her various VFW-related roles has taught her to advocate for veterans regardless of their beliefs.
“I feel my voice can be an asset in this nonpartisan space, where I really take time to listen and I’ll work very hard to figure out how to solve these problems,” Boyer said. “I’ve already proven that I can do that.”
Boyer owns two businesses: Motiv8n’U Inc. and Phoenix Productions. The former is a fitness, wellness and personal training company and the latter is a production company for a bodybuilding contest called the National Physique Committee Phoenix Natural Noble Warrior competition.
The mayor’s seat is also up for election in April. Incumbent Mayor Scott Wehrli and Councilman Benny White have announced they’re running, and a third possible candidate, Tiffany Stephens, picked up a petition packet Wednesday, according to city spokesperson Linda LaCloche. Stephens could not be reached for comment.
Election petitions must be filed between Oct. 19 and 26 for a candidate’s name to appear on the April 6 ballot.
If there are more than 16 candidates for council or four candidates for mayor, a primary election will be held Feb. 23, 2027.
cstein@chicagotribune.com
