Fourth Candidate Seeking Champaign Mayor in 2015

A Champaign native and University of Illinois Economics professor is planning a bid for city mayor in 2015. 

Joseph Petry has filed his initial paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Elections. 

He said he likes the city council and staff, but wants a more unified effort, and ‘conviction’ behind the areas of economic growth and jobs between the business commununity, university, and city staff and council.

"To be honest, maybe that's not the current mayor's strength," Petry said.  "I think that's what the community.  We're doing well, but I think we can do even more if we have dicussions around this, and get everybody on the same page and moving forward."

Petry is also president of the Champaign Park District Board.  He’s filed to run as an independent.

Mayor Don Gerard released a statement in response, saying he’s proud of his accomplishments,"and that which we continue to do to strive to make Champaign the best small city in America. If there are politicians, including those who endorsed my predecessor, who believe a change from that course is needed, I accept it is their democratic right to seek to do so."

Champaign City Council members Deb Frank Feinen and Karen Foster have also indicated they’ll challenge Gerard next year.