There was no shortage of people and events making headlines in Naperville in 2011. Here are some of the top attention-grabbers. (Photos: Newsmakers of 2011)
Parents
When Naperville Unit District 203 released hypothetical boundary changes earlier this month, parents lashed out at the potential for two school closings and neighborhoods being divided. Hundreds packed the Naperville Central High School auditorium Dec. 19 as the board decided to take more time working out the boundaries, but did not rule out implementing changes next school year.
Mayor George Pradel
In April, the endlessly enthusiastic and proud Pradel won his fifth term as mayor. He said this four-year term will be his last.
Energy
Naperville continued to work out the details of its Smart Grid Initiative that will allow it to collect energy from residents’ homes wirelessly and give residents the option of signing up for tiered rates based on peak usage time or buying third-party equipment that will allow them to monitor and control electrical usage. However, a group of vocal opponents has lobbied against the installation of wireless meters, citing health, security and privacy concerns. The city plans to start meter installation in January.
Show-Me’s
The restaurant known for waitresses wearing skimpy clothing caused a stir last winter when it announced its intentions to open on Ogden Avenue. The restaurant riled neighbors who rallied against it because of the revealing uniforms as well as noise and safety concerns. Show-Me’s opened Feb. 5 after winning city approval, but closed at the end of November citing a combination of management and mechanical issues as well as low patronage due to the initial controversy.
Public Works
Crews had a behemoth task on their hands after Mother Nature dumped about 20 inches of snow on the area during the first couple days of February. Once the storm ended, it took the city about 42 hours to completely clear all snow from streets, cul-de-sacs and sidewalks. The cleanup efforts came with a $426,000 price tag, but much of the cost was picked up by federal funds.
Chris Carpenter
The 16-year-old went missing in August, along with his bike, laptop and clothes. The word about his disappearance quickly spread through social media and police started receiving tips Carpenter had been spotted in Denver where his parents then traveled to hand out flyers. About a week after he went missing, Carpenter resurfaced in Naperville and was reunited with his parents.
Superman
Stars like Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner and Henry Cavill were spotted in Naperville over the summer as “Superman: Man of Steel” filmed around the suburbs. Thousands of suburbanites also packed a Naperville casting call hoping for a shot at being an extra in the film.
Scott Huber
The infamous homeless protester started the year with a victory as the City Council decided in February not to extend its downtown camping ban citywide. However, the next month, a judge upheld the downtown ban and fined him $285 for having violated it. His legal troubles continued throughout the year as he also went on trial for misdemeanor disorderly conduct and trespassing charges stemming from a confrontation with a Naperville psychologist. Huber was found guilty and a judge ordered him to find a job.
Tailgating
Fifteen Naperville North seniors were suspended for 15 days after drinking in the morning on the first day of school. Officials noticed the students were intoxicated when they showed up for the annual tailgate that kicks off the school year.
Islamic Center of Naperville
The group made headlines this fall when it announced plans to buy the 14-acre property on the east side of 248th Avenue between 95th and 103rd streets to build a mosque and asked the city to annex the land. Neighbors complained about potential noise, traffic and parking issues once the mosque is built. The Islamic Center worked with the residents to try to ease concerns. Earlier this month, the City Council unanimously approved annexation. The group does not plan to build on the land for five to 20 years.
Cathleen Lewis
The 59-year-old Naperville woman was found murdered in her town house in early June. In November her brother, Mark R. Lewis, 51, of the 800 block of Game Trail in Lakemoor, was charged with four counts of murder, one count of home invasion and one count of burglary in connection with her slaying.
Dave Weeks
The first-term Dist. 203 school board member was censured by his fellow board members on grounds that he showed a “pattern of abuse” in discussing privileged district information outside of the board. Weeks acknowledged one lapse in judgment, but said at the time he was surprised by allegations of repeated public disclosure.
