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More than 25 local candidates confirmed for WCLC meet n' greet event

We Can Lead Change Fox Valley’s (WCLC) Meet the Candidates event on March 5 in St. Charles will feature at least 26 local candidates for mayor, city council, school and library board races

Author

Sam Kraft
March 02, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

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Residents from St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one interactions with at least 26 local candidates for municipal, school and library board races during We Can Lead Change-Fox Valley’s (WCLC) Meet the Candidates night on Wednesday, March 5. 

The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2nd Street, St. Charles, and will feature candidates running in the April 1 Consolidated Election. Early voting begins March 7.

“This will be an excellent opportunity to ask the candidates looking to lead your community about the issues that matter most to you in a non-formal, inviting atmosphere,” said WCLC organizer Sue Sanders of St. Charles.  “Change begins on the local level and these races will have a direct impact on our daily lives in the Fox Valley.” 

Candidates who have confirmed their attendance include:

  • Batavia mayor: Thomas M. Connelly

  • Geneva mayor: Kevin Burns

  • St. Charles mayor: Clint Hull and Lora A. Vitek

  • Batavia 6th Ward alderperson: Kate Cuneo

  • Geneva 4th Ward alderperson: Amy Mayer

  • Geneva 5th Ward alderperson: Jeff Palmquist

  • St. Charles 1st Ward alderperson: Robert Kasper

  • St. Charles 2nd Ward alderperson: Ryan S. Bongard

  • St. Charles 3rd Ward alderperson: Paul D. Lencioni, Vicki Spellman and Carolyn Waibel

  • St. Charles 5th Ward alderperson: Lauren Duddles and Steve Weber

  • Batavia Public School District 101 Board of Education: Kristin Gehrels and Katherine “Katy” Swiecicki

  • St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 Board of Education: Katherine (Kate) Bell, Heidi J. Fairgrieve, Jenna Hancock, Thomas Lentz, Elias Palacios and Kimberly Rich

  • Batavia Public Library Board: Jennifer Sutton

  • St.  Charles Public Library Board: Barbara Diepenbrock, Joseph Gay and Jan S. Shelton 

This free, open-house-style event will feature candidates in contested races from St. Charles, Batavia and Geneva, though all candidates and the public are welcome to attend.  Community members will have the chance to engage with candidates one-on-one, ask questions and learn more about their positions. 

For more information, visit www.wecanleadchange.org. For more information about elections in Kane County, visit www. https://clerk2.kanecountyil.gov/Elections.

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