DeKALB | The upcoming Sycamore elections for aldermen are beginning to take shape, leaving residents to wonder who will be representing them.

Anyone who wants to run for Sycamore’s April 17 alderman elections must pick up a petition, which are now available for circulation.

“Candidates can pick up a packet here or online,” Sycamore City Clerk Candy Smith said. “I have the numbers they need to run.”

Those wishing to run must file for candidacy with the city clerk between Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“A different number of minimum and maximum signatures are required for each ward,” Smith said. “There are four wards, and the elections are staggered.”

This allows for the election of one alderman per ward every two years.

Current aldermen from wards 1, 2 and 4 have plans to run for re-election. Third Ward Alderwoman Barbara Leach will not run for reelection, Smith said. Leach was unavailable for comment.

Additional candidates will be known after petitions are filed Feb. 5.

“Probably the most important thing is to serve the citizens of Sycamore and continue to actively keep bringing in more commercial and industry,” said Cheryl Maness, incumbent 1st ward alderwoman. “That way we can make property taxes lower for citizens.”

Maness has served on the council for 10 years.

“One of the things I think we have in place right now is a great staff and management team,” Maness said. “One of the best things that happened during my years on council is we went to a manager-mayor form of council, which brought a lot of professionalism to the city.”

Chuck Stowe, incumbent 2nd ward alderman, also plans to run for another term.

“I think one thing to continue is school impact fees,” Stowe said. “I still don’t think there is enough.”

Stowe shares Maness’ positive outlook on Sycamore’s industrial and commercial growth.

“We’ve got a good start, and I really want to follow through and promote that,” Stowe said. “What I’m proud of is fostering some reasonable growth and putting limits on it. As far as I know, we’re the only city in Illinois that has a limit on how many houses can be built in a year.”

Terry Kessler, incumbent 4th ward alderwoman, also commented on the city’s growth plan.

“High density basically means there are a lot of people per acreage,” she said. “We have a comprehensive plan that keeps a lower density. This helps us manage our growth and handle it more responsibly.”

Kessler will run for re-election in April.

“I care very deeply about the city as well as how the city’s decisions affect the future,” Kessler said. “One of the things that kind of identifies me is I do my homework. I try to research and be as well-versed as I possibly can so I can make educated decisions and votes.”