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Naperville Government

Government affects every aspect of our life. From city streets and sewers, to schools and parks, to police and fire protection, we rely on government to supply services that are necessary for us to work, live and raise a family. From the perspective of a business owner, it is extremely important to stay informed on legislative issues locally, regionally and nationally. Naperville has a variety of types of government that supply specific services and levy taxes — so there are many things to pay attention to and that is no easy task. I have come to rely on the Chamber of Commerce and their legislative efforts to keep me apprised of issues and legislation that not only affects my business, but my family too. Any governmental agency can make a decision today that can affect my business and my family for years to come. Having the Chamber focused on legislative issues allows me the opportunity to participate in the process and have my voice heard.

In the many years that I have lived in Naperville, I have found that our elected officials are open, accessible and willing to listen to the concerns of their constituents. I have realized first-hand how important it is to be a part of the legislative process and that if you have an issue, question, or concern, your elected officials have the obligation to listen. I feel it is the obligation of every citizen to be a part of the legislative process and to be informed about issues that affect their life.

As a former member of the Naperville Plan Commission, I had the opportunity to learn the process by which a development moves from concept to reality. In 1996, we formed the Naperville Development Partnership (NDP), a public-private partnership charged with improving the economic development activities for Naperville. I believe the NDP continues to have an immeasurable, positive impact on the community by attracting, retaining and growing companies that provide much needed tax revenue and jobs to the Naperville area. Early on, we worked with city staff and elected officials to improve the permitting process, so that when a company wanted to expand or move to Naperville, the process was not a barrier to progress. It was not an easy task, but the city and the private sector worked together to improve the process and make it easier for companies to get

their doors open, hire staff and contribute to the community and, most importantly, to our tax base.

The term “Economic Development” can mean a variety of things to different people. Collectively, the NDP, the Chamber and the city have all worked hard to make the local economy stable and a good provider of revenues so that the branches of government have the resources they need to provide services to the community. Taxes are not pleasant for anyone to pay but by helping to create a sustainable economy, the business community lessens the tax burden of the residents. A healthy business economy is not only beneficial to residents, but a driving force of Naperville’s success.

As Naperville has grown, so too has the need for services and with it the inevitable growth of staff to make sure services are delivered as needed. The growth of local government is easier to explain than state and federal government — and the Chamber keeps an eye on what each level of government is doing. It is difficult to stay informed on so many levels, so having an active and engaged legislative committee provides insight and valuable feedback to our members. The Naperville Chamber has formed partnerships with the Illinois Chamber and the U.S. Chamber to provide this valuable resource on behalf of the entire region.

Naperville consistently ranks as one of the best places in the country to live, work and raise a family. While this is an enviable position, we must work diligently to stay on top of issues that can affect our quality of life. As growth levels out and we reach build out, our attention will need to turn to redevelopment and infill parcels and the effect they will have on the community. We have the lowest crime rate for cities of our size and unemployment is below national averages. Two of the challenges we face are affordable housing and traffic congestion. So what does this mean to you and me? Get involved, stay informed and be a part of the process. Support the efforts of the Naperville Chamber and they will continue to be the Voice of Business!

Ray Kinney
Partner,
Minuteman Press
Maclyn Group