illi News - Naperville Invites Students to Get Involved in Local Government

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NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The City of Naperville offers two opportunities for Naperville resident students to participate in local government. Students can apply for student representative positions on the City's boards and commissions or serve as a Chief of Staff to Mayor Wehrli through the KidsMatter – Mayor's Chief of Staff internship. Both programs provide valuable experiences in civic engagement and public service. Applications are due at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. Both programs conclude on July 31, 2027.

Interested students are welcome to apply for one or both programs if they meet the requirements:

Must live within Naperville's incorporated boundaries
Sophomores, juniors and seniors may apply for student representative positions. Freshmen are ineligible to apply.
Sophomores and juniors may apply for the Mayor's Chief of Staff internship. Freshmen and seniors are ineligible to apply.
Students who have previously served on a board/commission are ineligible to apply.

Student Representative Program

Students may apply to be representatives on the following City boards and commissions:

Advisory Commission on Disabilities
Financial Advisory Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission
Naper Settlement Museum Board
Naperville Public Library Board
Planning and Zoning Commission
Public Utilities Advisory Board
Riverwalk Commission
Sister Cities Commission
Special Events Cultural Arts Commission
Transportation Advisory Board

There are 24 positions available, with two positions on each board/commission. Applicants are encouraged to apply for up to three boards/commissions to maximize placement options. Student representative applicants may also apply for the Mayor's Chief of Staff internship.

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Students should review the City's Boards and Commissions Guide at naperville.il.us/boards for descriptions of each board/commission and to better understand the representative requirements and time commitment level. City board/commission meetings take place in the evening except for the Riverwalk Commission and the Naper Settlement Museum Board, which meet at 8:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m.

KidsMatter Internship – Mayor's Chief of Staff

The City is partnering with KidsMatter to offer an internship for up to eight high school sophomores and juniors, serving in a Chief of Staff role to Mayor Scott Wehrli. This position is well suited for students with strong communication and organizational skills. Selected students will support the Mayor at community events by engaging with attendees, answering questions, taking photos and more. The position has flexible hours based on event schedules, and some evening and weekend availability is required. The full job description is available at naperville.il.us/boards.

"Throughout my internship experience with the Mayor's Office, I learned a lot about what it means to be involved in the community. From ribbon cuttings for new businesses to centennial birthday parties celebrating our oldest residents, I saw parts of Naperville I never knew existed," said Abigail Hennessey, a Chief of Staff intern during the 2025-2026 school year. "I learned that showing up matters; people appreciate that you are present. I learned about teamwork both by working with other high school interns and by observing City staff. Most importantly, I learned about Naperville, not as a city, but as a people, and am so grateful to have been given the opportunity."

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"I'll never forget being police chief for a day back in junior high. That experience is what first got me interested in city government, and it stuck with me all these years. That's why this program matters so much to me," said Mayor Scott Wehrli. "When we open the doors of the Mayor's Office to young people who want to serve, we give them a real look at how their city works. These students are our future leaders. If we can show them what public service is really about and spark that same interest in even one of them, we've done something worthwhile."

Leadership Academy

Students selected for either program will begin their experience at the KidsMatter Leadership Academy on Saturday, Nov. 7. This is a great opportunity to gain an understanding of civic responsibility and the leadership skills necessary to serve on the City's boards and commissions or in the Mayor's Chief of Staff program. The academy will serve as an orientation, where attendees will learn about city meeting protocols and meet other students in the program.

"KidsMatter has long partnered with the City to recognize and offer opportunities to youth interested in getting involved with our local government," said KidsMatter CEO and Executive Director Nina Menis. "We're grateful to be able to partner with the City and support students with the annual Leadership Academy and Mayor's Chief of Staff intern program as part of our work in career exploration, helping young people with an interest in government and public service find their unique pathway to success and become the very best versions of themselves."

How to Apply

Students interested in either program must apply online by clicking on the "Apply" button on any board or commission webpage listed on the Boards and Commissions webpage. Applicants for both positions should complete the profile section, answer the Student Representative Only questions and upload a resume or statement of interest. Applicants should comment on their year-long availability and potential conflicts in their resume or statement of interest. Those interested in the Mayor's Chief of Staff internship should answer "yes" to the relevant question on the application form. For an application instructional guide (PDF), visit naperville.il.us/boards.

Students needing more information should contact Rachel Pruneda at prunedar@naperville.il.us or 630-420-6018.

Filed Under: Government, City

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