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NaperSite on McNees.org/naperville

Helmut Jahn 'N' Building in Naperville, Illinois on NaperSite on McNees.org

Naperville, founded in 1831, located 25 miles west of Chicago, is the fourth most populous town in Illinois - second of Chicago's 350 suburbs in the metro area of nine million people. Only next-door Aurora, which paces Naperville, is larger. One of the ten fastest growing towns in the nation during the 80's and 90's, Naperville has close to 150,000 residents and covers about 40 square miles. Naperville is adjacent to the communities of Aurora, Bolingbrook, Lisle, Plainfield,  Warrenville, Wheaton, and Woodridge, Illinois.

Naperville is the heart of the Illinois Research and Technology Corridor, also known as the Silicon Prairie - home to many tech firms (below). It is located in DuPage County, the 11th most affluent in America. See Naperville satellite image.

Unfortunately, growth breeds traffic. The challenge of traffic congestion is a problem, yet the major arterial 87th and 95th street east west thru-ways inexcusably remain unfinished, denying the town a much needed east west alternative to the 75th street corridor route and clogging other routes across town. 

'N' Building in - Naperville, Illinois
Did architect Helmut Jahn really intend to make this a 'N'aperville statement landmark?

Naperville and adjacent communities are home to several Fortune 500 and leading companies including CONAGR. Laidlaw International, Molex, Navistar, Servicemaster, Tellabs, OfficeMax, Calamos Investments and numerous high tech companies such as BMC Software, Computer Associates Lisle Labs, Quinnox, T-Systems, Unisys, as well as major world renowned research facilities including  BP Amoco, Lucent Bell Labs, ONDEO Nalco Laboratories, Nicor, and nearby Argonne National Laboratories and Fermi-lab National Accelerator

Tellabs world headquarters in Naperville, Illinois on NaperSite on McNees.org
Tellabs World Headquarters

Utne Magazine feature on 10 most enlightened suburbs
Naperville is known for its outstanding quality of life: excellent schools, parks, forest preserves, bikeways, quality housing, robust economy and job market, abundant activities, and a wide selection of active churches, service and social groups. Naperville city parks have over 50 miles of bikeways and trails that are also integrated into the Dupage county-wide bikeways and trail system
Naperville was ranked as one of the top places to live in the US by CNN Money Magazine - #3 in 2008, #2 of the 'best places to live in the US" by CNN Money Magazine in 2006, #3 in 2005 and in 2002. cited as one of the in the March/April 2003 issue the

Naperville was recognized for a unique family and kid oriented lifestyle, being awarded the most kid-friendly city in the USA in 1997.  Naperville received an A+ overall Honor Roll ranking and was third in the nation in the Kid-Friendly Cities Report Card 2001 published by the Washington, DC based Zero Population Growth in its bi-annual survey.  It's A+ rating in 1999 ranked Naperville second in the nation for suburban cities across the nation.

Naperville is home to some notable architecture with works ranging from Helmut Jahn (above) to Prairie School designs by Harry Robinson and John S. Van Bergen, prot�g�'s of Frank Lloyd Wright. History of the Goetsch house by Van Bergen and early Naperville is chronicled in the memoirs  of William Marshal Goetsch.

Friedenberger Park on Naperville Riverwalk on NaperSite on McNees.org
Riverwalk Friedenberger Park - Rick McNees photo.

In 1997, a quality of life index comparing living conditions in 219 cities throughout the United States rated Naperville as the best place for kids to grow up, as reported by CNN Naperville ranked #1 - lowest in stress among the 245 US cities with 100,000 or more residents according to a study by the American City Business Journals published in February 2005, attributing high incomes, low unemployment and stable families.

Naperville School District 203 schools tested first in the world out of nearly 6000 competing schools in science aptitude scores in 2001. Naperville North H.S. finished first in the State of Illinois in Science and Math competition and scores twelve out of thirteen years from 1994 to 2007, eclipsing the nearby Illinois Math & Science Academy. 

The WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) team won the state championship from 1999 to 2005, 2007, and 2008. The Varsity JETS (Junior Engineering Technical Society) Team in 2005 placed first in the nation, while the Junior Varsity placed second in the nation. The 2005 JETS Varsity team is also distinguished for having won first in the nation back to back (in 2004 as JV and in 2005 as Varsity). In 2004, 2006, and 2007 the Naperville North Science Bowl team won first at the Illinois Science Bowl Tournament and went on to compete at the National Science Bowl Tournament. They also won the State Championship in 2005 but did not advance to nationals due to a scheduling conflict with Math Team.
Naperville Public Library was cited Most Efficient & Busiest Public Library in US Nation-wide rankings for public libraries by �American Libraries�, the official magazine of the American Library Association. The Naperville Public Library, for an unprecedented ninth time in a row, was ranked #1 in the 100,000 to 249,999-population category. More than 9,000 libraries from across the nation were ranked.
The Naperville Riverwalk, a popular meeting place has transformed the DuPage River waterfront with miles of walkways, covered bridges, and parks. Popular sites and destinations include an amphitheatre, a quarry complete with paddle boats and the 'Beach' municipal pool, and a sledding hill.

The Millenium Carillon, one of the tallest, and one of only four out of 600 in the world to span six octaves.

Historical Naper Settlement is a faithful recreation of early 19th century Naperville. The city centre is vibrant and lively, a popular destination with a wide range of shopping and dining choices.

Friedenberger Park on Naperville Riverwalk on NaperSite on McNees.org

Naperville Riverwalk - Rick McNees photo.

Naperville is full of nightlife and social opportunities with more than 4000 restaurants within fifteen miles.

Notable Napervillians

  • Sean Payton, head coach of Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints
  • Evan Lysacek Olympic Gold Medal figure skater
  • David Eigenberg, Actor
  • Gary Miller, ESPN anchor
  • Kevin Krisciunas, First NCHS Graduate in Space
  • Candace Parker, standout basketball player
  • Commander Dan F. Shanower, Killed during September 11, 2001 attacks at the Pentagon
  • Jim Sonefeld, Founding member and drummer for Hootie & the Blowfish
  • Paula Zahn, Newscaster

Also see Naperville Professional Athletes below.

Naperville Riverwalk - Rick McNees photo.
Naperville Higher Education
There are more than 75 colleges, universities and professional schools within 30 miles. Naperville is home to North Central College as well as regional campuses of Northern Illinois University, DePaul University, DeVry University and Robert Morris College. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers graduate courses in Strategic Technology Management and Masters in Computer Science studies at its Naperville location. 
Nearby, College of DuPage, known locally as 'COD', is one of the largest community colleges in the nation with over 40,000 students.  There are also well known Wheaton  College, Benedictine University, Aurora University, National Louis University (Wheaton) and west suburban campuses for IIT - Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Illinois Extension - DuPage, Westwood College, and Keller Graduate School of Management.

North Central College - Rick McNees photo.

Naperville City Links Naperville Carillon on NaperSite on McNees.org

Naperville Carillon -
Rick McNees photo.

Gallery of Naperville Pics  
Naperville Riverwalk Sculpture on NaperSite on McNees.org Naperville Riverwalk fountain and covered bridge on NaperSite on McNees.org

Naperville Riverwalk on NaperSite on McNees.org

Photos by Rick McNees

 
Naperville Travel - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles  - Getting to and around Naperville

Link to this section page
 
Naperville is easily accessible, conveniently located along The Reagan Memorial Tollway, I88, and near the
Veterans Memorial
Tollway, I355, and I 55.
Veterans Memoral Tollway

Naperville is served by the following airports -  Also see Airport info on McNees Travel and Airport Page
O'Hare on a summer day - Rick McNees photo
O'Hare International Airport
R. McNees Photo
 

GCM  website - a cooperative effort of the Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee  Priority Corridor Partners

Link to top ranked GCM Travel Website

  • Congestion Map - Real-time graphic of traffic congestion and drive times on expressways in the Chicago Area from IDOT (Ill Dept Trans)
  • Expressway Data - Mile-by-mile traffic sensor readings of x-way traffic volumes and speeds (feeding Congestion Map above) - Mile-by-mile traffic sensor readings of x-way traffic volumes and speeds (feeding Congestion Map above)
  • Travel Times - Real-time calculated travel times to/from Chicago Loop and various - Real-time calculated travel times to/from Chicago Loop and various destinations
Link to CTA Link to Metra Link to Pace
 
Naperville Sports

Link to this section page

Naperville is a sports town. Naperville school teams routinely win state championships and are often nationally ranked. Local club teams compete at the state and national levels. The Park District maintains several recreational sports complexes, golf courses, and a skatepark. 

Chicago Fire

During the 2002 and '03 seasons the Major Soccer League team Chicago Fire played home games at Naperville's North Central College Cardinal Stadium.

Chicago Bulls and White Sox Training Academy
The Chicago Bulls-White Sox Training Academy
is located next door in Four Lakes Village in Lisle.

 

Naperville State Champions - IHSA - Illinois High School Association

  • Naperville/Aurora Waubonsie HS wins 2010 3A Girls Soccer Championship for 3rd title in 4 years 
  • Naperville Central edges out Naperville Neuqua Valley 156-153 in 2010 state swimming championship
  • Naperville North HS wins 2008 IHSA 3A Men's Cross Country championship - lead by Kyle Gibson.
  • Naperville Neuqua HS 2008 IHSA Swimming & Diving State Champions followed by 
    Naperville North in fifth and Naperville Central HS in sixth  
  • Naperville/Aurora Waubonsie HS Girls Soccer wins Back-to-Back State Championships in 2007-2008
  • Naperville North HS 2007 IHSA 8A Football state champions.
  • Naperville Central HS 2007 IHSA Volleyball state champions.
  • Naperville Central HS 2006 IHSA AA Baseball state champions.
  • Naperville Central edged Naperville Neuqua Valley by 1 point to win 2005 Class AA swim title
Naperville North High School 2007 IHSA Football 8A Champions
  • Naperville North HS 2005 IHSA Class AA Girls Cross Country- Coach Dan Iverson
  • Naperville Central HS IHSA 2005 Class AA Girls Volleyball Champions
  • Naperville Neuqua Valley HS IHSA 2005AA Girls Soccer Champions -  (27-2-1)
  • Naperville Central HS Girls Swimming - 2004 and 2005 IHSA State Champions
  • Naperville North HS Girls Cross Country - 2004 IHSA State Champions - Coach Dan Iverson
  • Naperville Neuqua Valley HS - 2003 IHSA AA Soccer Champions  (28-1-1)
  • Napverville North HS 2003 IHSA Sectional Girls Volleyball Champions
  • Naperville Central HS 2003 and 2004 IHSA Girls Basketball Champions - USA Top Ten lead by Candace Parker
  • Naperville Central HS 1999 Illinois Class 6A IHSA Football Champions - USA Top Ten
  • Naperville Central HS 2000 DVC Champions undefeated - IHSAA #1 class 6A seed - USA Top Ten,
  • Naperville Central HS 2001 DVC Champions undefeated  -  IHSAA  #1 class 8A seed - State Semi-finalist
  • Naperville North - 2001 IHSA Class AA Girls Cross Country - Coach Dan Iverson
  • Naperville North HS - 2001 IHSA Boys Gymnastics - Coach Brad Foerch
  • Naperville North HS 1998 Class 6A IHSA Soccer Champions  (21-4-3) - Coach David Bucher 
  • Benet Academy in Lisle won the IHSA Class A Soccer Championship in 2000 (22-0-4) and 2001(18-7-1)
  • Naperville Central HS 2002 Class 6A IHSA Swimming Champions
  • Naperville Central's Elizabeth Lumpkin was IHSA Girls Tennis Champion in 2000 thru 2003, winning as a Freshman, Sophomore,  Junior and Senior. She finished her High School career on a 76-match winning streak and won 97 of her last 98 matches. She lost just three sets during that span, and did not lose any in the 2003 tournament when she dropped just 15 games in seven state matches. She finished with a 122-5 career record, with four of those losses coming as a freshman. She was 28-0 in both her junior and senior seasons. She became the first girl in Illinois history to win the state singles title 4 years in a row.
  • Naperville Central HS 1998 IHSA Boys' Volleyball State Champions.
  • Naperville North HS 1997 IHSA Boys Volleyball - (35-4) - Coach Laura Bruce
  • Naperville North HS 1996 IHSA Boys Swimming & Diving - Coach Dick Raab
  • Naperville North HS IHSA 1988 Girls Soccer Champions (20-2-1)
  • Naperville North HS 1994 IHSA Boys Tennis - Coach Joan Callaway
  • Naperville North HS 1994 IHSA Class AA Boys Golf  - Coach Bob Campbell
  • Naperville North HS 1993 IHSA Class AA Girls Cross Country - Coach Marty Bee
  • Naperville Central HS 1993 IHSA Class AA Girls Tennis state team title.
  • Naperville North HS 1992 IHSA Class 8A Football - (12-2) - Coach Larry McKeon
  • Naperville North HS 1989 IHSA Class AA Boys Golf - Coach Bob Campbell
  • Naperville North HS 1988 IHSA Girls Soccer - (20-2-1) - Coach Alan Harris

Notable Naperville alumni playing professional sports

  • Sean Payton, head coach of Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints
  • Evan Lysacek Olympic Gold Medal figure skater
  • Chris Brown, professional football player, Tennessee Titans
  • Owen Daniel, NFL football player for the Houston Texans
  • Glenn Earl, professional football player, Houston Texans
  • Jerry Hairston, Jr., professional baseball player, Texas Rangers
  • Scott Hairston, professional baseball player, Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Jay McCareins, professional football player, Arizona Cardinals
  • Justin McCareins, professional football player, New York Jets
  • Anthony Parker, professional basketball player
  • Sean Payton, Head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
  • Candace Parker, NCHS standout is playing in the WNBA.
Naperville Soccer

Naperville Golf 

Naperville and the nearby communities has excellent golf courses - there are nearly 300 golf courses within 20 miles of Naperville!

Other Naperville Chicagoland Sports Links

Chicago Blackhawks Chicago White Sox

Bears

Hawks

Bulls

Cougers

Cubs

Fire

Flyers

Joliet
Jackhammers

Gary Southshore
RAILCATS

White Sox

Wolves

Other Chicagoland Sports Links

 

Visiting Naperville activities and sites in and around Naperville
Grand Prix The Naperville Grand Prix is a charity event that raises money to prevent child abuse and support the family unit. This event is and the immensely popular annual Ribfest are organized and implemented by the Exchange Club of Naperville.

 
Chicago and nearby attractions highlights - Also See McNees Chicago Page for more details
Naperville Churches on NaperSite
Link to this section page
Naperville and nearby Clubs and Organizations on NaperSite
Link to this section page
Naperville Dining - See Rick's DineSite
 
DuPage County - DuPage Links
 
Other Interesting places nearby ...
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