[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6365951,"mediaKeyId","2159714-4fc46f0e024df3dd0d12776078475e4f","parentId",2159714,"title","Gurnee to join Lake County 911 consolidation; mayor highlights police, SRO and fire staffing increases","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3464990,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159714-4fc46f0e024df3dd0d12776078475e4f&start=3464&end=3464","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159714-4fc46f0e024df3dd0d12776078475e4f/thumbnail_3464990.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6365951/Gurnee/Lake-County/Illinois/Gurnee-to-join-Lake-County-911-consolidation-mayor-highlights-police-SRO-and-fire-staffing-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365951-2fc010d8c1d8ddbfe64992f3b9d24b55/orig.mp4?Expires=1775222131&Signature=WIFdG3ccKpART8W9pkPcELWAd8GwlgttOtnsK5RB6peyu5ioCjZhjDpy8H14eW22~9ghx3sUPx0MmoydtzrzCHdPDrVwZIFZJP5g8-9lHogJzfQlaxYvwCAyFOK9UCZZz4uo1LBEBMaoOVkI6dMUh5Rl5CdFJ0OyKXeXzskACcSbVc2-V7Y-AFhdGTKS6BXQJMOIr2Vmp9DMBZsCFF4S39Sp-ygMyq9~sFRyuv0h3HzsaQYL6cfAFrSvf3D8rBVqrK1TFeO9tqyF8oNU~cKtHvuxq~h7ypVrzV0CLArMp-7phfI14NwyASJgvOmjnE9E5jBnc5BByjpONw3v9-Bnrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Gurnee, IL","date","2025-01-28T14:29:22Z","article","Mayor Tom Hood said the Village of Gurnee will participate in a Lake County consolidation of dispatch centers this summer intended to reduce call-transfer time and improve emergency response.

\"This is the, in Lake County, this coming summer, we're going to see a consolidation of our 911 centers ... 30, and in that area, we'll be consolidating,\" Hood said. He described the principal goal as reducing the number of transfers and seconds lost when an emergency call must be routed between centers. \"Whatever amount of time that takes ... it's too many seconds when your husband is having a heart attack,\" he said, calling the consolidation an investment the village could not have done alone.

Hood also reviewed police-department staffing and community outreach: he said the village added a commander, several officers and another school resource officer (SRO) in 2024 and noted the department runs citizen and youth police academies and community events. \"SROs ... are really important to me,\" he said, referencing national school-shooting statistics and describing lockdown drills and school-police coordination as part of preparedness.

On firefighting and emergency medical responses, Hood cited the department's 2024 activity level: \"our fire department last year had over 8,000 calls\" and \"almost 4,000 inspections,\" he said, noting continued investment in equipment and fire-alarm monitoring with businesses.

The mayor said the village expects some cost and transition work as dispatch moves to Lake County but said it should reduce transfers and ultimately improve response. No formal votes or contract approvals on the consolidation were announced during the address.

Ending: Hood framed the public-safety investments as part of the village's commitment to being \"safe, strong, together,\" and he reiterated that the village board funds equipment and staffing to support emergency services.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday, January 27, 2025 - Gurnee State of the Village","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Tom Hood said the village will participate in a Lake County 911 consolidation planned for summer 2025 to reduce call-transfer time. He also recapped new police hires, an added SRO, community policing programs and the fire department's 2024 call volume and inspections.","taxTitle","Gurnee, Lake County, Illinois","taxId",55474,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6365956,"Mayor urges state bill for fence-line testing after local ETO concerns",93,852550,946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159714-4fc46f0e024df3dd0d12776078475e4f&start=852&end=946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159714-4fc46f0e024df3dd0d12776078475e4f/thumbnail_852550.jpg","/articles/6365956/Gurnee/Lake-County/Illinois/Mayor-urges-state-bill-for-fence-line-testing-after-local-ETO-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365956-ae76e83abb5ee27728b4f7d0f5abc944/orig.mp4?Expires=1775222131&Signature=g~ne67pJ~vPTYbjN4ZlVYq79wQyPb9Rwplp4YDm5mgvywBT5oSQFmxI3Ter4YUU8UlvoqFYVDWsz~tGJfSMfJzTgEpcqKlQ-5YR1fk9sXMnQWSAwaz5Aht~AOrPQnQmxToDZBKTRAvEwSzBJPCTPqXDHGQIQEp-wJJdA~ititwm2Q~Y3EQdcihYHccPRPZ0SNwMfU56Y5ZRbvC25BUdnEYTN5~sY1nARdR1KcDREfrAOxsSH1B5Qs7oTm2DQYabUz0yVhfXewN0Hak2I1K~Nk1m4DBTkHH6TzLUt-whFdBxXJ~zkJFmkHEXuVDI5P9ZwYEW59GenXY4qzX8NkAo8FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Tom Hood said the village continues to monitor ethylene oxide (ETO) emissions from a business in town and has asked state lawmakers to consider fence-line testing.

\"I have asked Rita Mayfield to submit a bill to the house in which there'd be fence line testing done so that we'd really know exactly what's being admitted,\" Hood said, referring to state Representative Rita Mayfield's work on reducing ETO exposure. Hood named a local business (identified in the address as Vantage) that has been cooperating with testing efforts.

Hood said prior state legislation has reduced ETO emissions and that he will ask residents to support any bill that comes to the Illinois House. He framed the proposed testing as an extra precaution: \"You can never be too careful,\" he said.

The mayor did not provide draft bill text, a bill number, or a timeline for consideration; he said only that he had requested the representative to introduce the measure. No formal village ordinance or vote on the matter was announced during the address.

Ending: Hood asked for community support when the bill reaches the state House but did not provide specifics about next steps or timelines in the address.

","Tom Hood said he has asked state Rep. Rita Mayfield to introduce legislation to require fence-line testing for ethylene oxide (ETO) emissions after local concerns about a business in town; he said testing is intended to supply stronger local data.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6365961,"Controversial east-side shelter proposal prompted East Side Commission and new care initiative, mayor says",184,2873110,3058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159714-4fc46f0e024df3dd0d12776078475e4f&start=2873&end=3058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159714-4fc46f0e024df3dd0d12776078475e4f/thumbnail_2873110.jpg","/articles/6365961/Gurnee/Lake-County/Illinois/Controversial-east-side-shelter-proposal-prompted-East-Side-Commission-and-new-care-initiative-mayor-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365961-e952eeb162aaecc85b970d044833caa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775222131&Signature=WCMKZts8ff60zxBXi2nuKrnRumxVriUjxR038NbRGv-GSS-qx71XrQqUc8bFdBuNxwlthj5QcNmGnCZxr2~QfHI9ANW9OkIujvhxh9cSe78hEVNGHsIiU5cFYJIwzow70aWfGMESOlSsbn2C1GY-4Z7iclOpR6cWvpYZP8PT25n1377RqCU~iOAMgm3orL2xBAQn~I6nDfko7xtzWobx5YskEu2n3zApx8IAHjLZOdizuTFWh8DcPuX-egkZ16ISaCVoEz6leaHDtywGU3IVPdFiRDj62Sp1cf49q62M1s7oouSTVyogixdQjI8xdAH3svwvnZc2kcEkf5hQi04Sjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Tom Hood said a dispute over a proposed emergency shelter on the village's east side spurred new citizen-led efforts to address neighborhood needs and coordinate services.

Hood described the proposal: \"PADS wanted to locate an emergency shelter on Grand Avenue just by Route 41 in the Fairbridge Hotel,\" and said the village board ultimately decided not to allow the project. He summarized the resulting polarization: some east-side neighbors opposed locating a shelter nearby while others urged the village to provide services for people experiencing homelessness.

From that controversy came an East Side Commission, Hood said, a group of residents who have worked with staff to set priorities, attract new businesses and advise on improvements to the area east of Route 41. \"This group of neighbors have provided a lot of input into staff, and myself and the village board, and it's been excellent,\" Hood said, describing new activity and three or four recent business openings on the east side.

The mayor said the shelter fight also highlighted unmet needs in the community and led to a proposed Care Commission to coordinate nonprofits and services. Hood said he asked Kevin Woodside to chair the effort to better connect nonprofits that serve food, clothing and other needs for residents. \"We're blind sometimes to that,\" Hood said of the village's awareness of hidden need, and he cited examples such as students lacking coats or food on weekends.

Hood described the East Side Commission and the Care Commission as part of a longer-term effort to heal divisions, improve conditions and create durable connections between neighbors, nonprofits and village departments. He said some healing remains necessary but expressed hope that citizen engagement will produce real improvements.

Ending: The mayor emphasized the commissions are ongoing, implementation-focused efforts; no formal policy or ordinance was announced on the shelter or commissions during the address.

","Mayor Tom Hood said debate over a proposed PADS emergency shelter at the Fairbridge Hotel divided east-side residents and opponents, prompting creation of an East Side Commission and a new care commission to better coordinate services for vulnerable residents.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6365966,"Gurnee mayor cites strong finances and high mall traffic as pillars of local economy",1450,572820,2022920,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159714-4fc46f0e024df3dd0d12776078475e4f&start=572&end=2022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159714-4fc46f0e024df3dd0d12776078475e4f/thumbnail_572820.jpg","/articles/6365966/Gurnee/Lake-County/Illinois/Gurnee-mayor-cites-strong-finances-and-high-mall-traffic-as-pillars-of-local-economy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365966-cf2096aa4a04d3bd80bcedce8d2f726a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775222131&Signature=C~keRI5ddQaHPPYiHdgiUZm3qqOkJEjumiysnpeqTIpr2umbLQeCGC21QY5gAC0QR1Evabf~DLyZ5wSdhZjYEsEgxqrZ~7lyv7DyEIBR~iUPy2dxwhgx3bn5-~ynpnHGFaCwYS0JqcrzECZZ1DIxR0dqdCMAqmYo2H79-Rwe6gE9F0ghbA1-AAkB7zIGuMOxU8zf49CMUX5f6SWbYW1y-BCaOPg1cxltYnfjQBzQDOwRnWQArc7PveJojJ3wrBhBtXalt4iU7Mz757Wu1ZbbA3XvO1qF7R9~DmlfN7n8WQEMdB~zjtFR736tK6Lv0B34B5DIslZKdH~XerisGEUexQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Tom Hood in the 2025 State of the Village address on behalf of the Village of Gurnee said the village's economic strength rests on its business community and visitor traffic, and he called for continued planning to protect reserves.

\"We have a little over 30,000 residents. We have more than 1,200 businesses. We're located on a little bit over 13 square miles. We have a budget that's about $100,000,000,\" Hood said, framing the village's finances as complex but well managed.

Hood noted the village relies heavily on sales and visitor-driven taxes rather than a municipal property tax. \"We have 23,000,000 visitors, and we can actually prove it now,\" he said, adding that those visitors support businesses and the village budget. He told the audience the village maintains large reserves to ride out revenue shocks, citing a reserve-policy target in the mid-60 percent range.

Gurnee Mills, the region's largest retail complex, was a focal point of Hood's remarks. He called management 'a partner' and presented a Pinnacle Performance Award to mall leaders, saying the center now has \"over 95% occupancy.\" Randy Evertowski, identified in the address as general manager of Gurnee Mills, said the mall is managed by Simon Property Group and has 'more than 200 stores' and ongoing investments in entertainment and dining.

Hood said the mall generates direct revenue for the village and anchors retail activity on Grand Avenue. In the address he tied mall performance to broader local sales: \"the revenue that's generated from Gurnee Mills ... anchors a $1,000,000,000 revenue on Grand Avenue,\" he said. In a separate remark he estimated Gurnee Mills contributes approximately $6,000,000 a year in village revenue.

Hood warned of volatility in sales-driven revenue and cited the COVID-19 shutdown of Six Flags as an example: a one-year closure cost the village about $2 million in tax revenue. \"There's no guarantee that that tax will be the same,\" he said, describing the village's planning approach and the role of the finance director in forecasting and maintaining reserves.

The mayor also recounted recent business turnover and new openings around the Ring Road and Grand Avenue, noting Texas Roadhouse's upcoming opening and Bank of America construction as examples of ongoing private investment. He praised local small-business support programs, including grants and awards, that the village uses to partner with businesses on façade and improvement projects.

Hood closed the segment by stressing the village is not the business owner but a facilitator: \"We're not a private land owner ... it's up to us to provide the structure for them to be successful,\" he said, arguing the village must balance development with neighborhood impacts.

Ending: Hood said he expects more business announcements in 2025 and repeated that Gurnee's economic strength comes from residents and businesses working together.

","In his 2025 State of the Village address, Mayor Tom Hood highlighted the village's reliance on sales-tax-generating businesses, reported population and budget figures, and praised Gurnee Mills' high occupancy and visitor numbers as central to local revenues and planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gurnee to join Lake County 911 consolidation; mayor highlights police, SRO and fire staffing increases

Mayor urges state bill for fence-line testing after local ETO concerns

Controversial east-side shelter proposal prompted East Side Commission and new care initiative, mayor says

Gurnee mayor cites strong finances and high mall traffic as pillars of local economy