Responsive Leadership–Mayor Tom Hood

As mayor, Tom has had a strong community focus.  He strives for clear, responsive, open communication and accessibility—bringing us together and advocating for all of Gurnee.

• Created “From the Mayor’s Desk” to provide timely information on topics of concern to the community and to provide a look “behind the scenes” of Village leadership.
• Hired the Village’s first Community Engagement Coordinator to facilitate communications among the Village and its residents, businesses and community partners.
• Reduced Panhandling, initiating campaigns to spread awareness and education regarding panhandling. “Say No to Panhandling” signage installed. Contact with every panhandler in Gurnee to offer assistance.
• Increased diversity in the Village workforce from 10% in 2020 to 23% in 2024.
• Launched the “Neighbor Up” Block Party Grant program to encourage neighbors to get to know each other and cultivate a welcoming and safe community for everyone.
• Increased Village events, working with the Park District to bring us more events such as Bonfires and Brews and the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
• Added the Gurnee National Day of Prayer, bringing our community together to pray for our Village.
• One of our most accessible mayors. Provided opportunities for residents to discuss concerns and meet the mayor through “Coffee with the Mayor” and other meet the mayor opportunities.
• Created and hosted the first annual East Grand Get Together with live music, food and fun for families.
• Created the East Side Commission to revitalize our East Grand Corridor. A number of residents’ concerns were addressed immediately, and others will be a long-term focus.

• Created the Teacher of the Year awards to honor and reward excellence in our schools.
• Created the Bring Them Home and Pay it Forward awards to honor businesses that give back to our community.
• Created the Special Needs Champion Award to honor businesses that include and promote the special needs community.
• Created the Gurnee Youth Leadership Initiative to encourage young leaders to participate in the village.
• Created the Green Gurnee Award.
• Created a $1,000 youth scholarship to reward our future leaders.

Mayor Tom Hood has led environmental initiatives since he was a Village Trustee. He is committed to a proactive approach to environmental safety.

• Formed the Environmental Sustainability Committee which involves the community in sustainable practices such as recycling and environmental and green programs.
• Requested and worked with State Rep Rita Mayfield to introduce a bill to amend state legislation to require ambient air monitoring between Vantage and sterilizers.
• Supports the continued reduction of ETO emissions and fence-line testing. Worked with Vantage to receive independent reporting to monitor emissions.
• Board member of the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA).
• Commissioner for the Stormwater Management Commission (SMC)
• Green Energy advocate—Gurnee is recognized as one of the Top 100 Green Power communities in the United States and a Tree City USA designation.

• Oversaw the Village’s $100,000,000 operating budget. Steadily increased Village reserves and expanded our business base.
  • No Village real estate property tax or utility tax. Less than 3% of Illinois communities do not levy property tax.
  • Gurnee has the lowest debt burden of any community in Illinois with a population over 25,000
  • Gurnee has the lowest cost of water among the communities receiving Lake Michigan water from JAWA.
  • Formed the Real Estate Tax Work Group.
  • Reduced the water rate for Seniors

Gurnee’s business community is thriving! Mayor Tom Hood works closely with our business community to showcase and promote their business. Gurnee’s billion dollar sales revenue provides the sales tax base that provides our Village services.

• Tom’s Tours. Visits local businesses to understand their operations and to promote them on social media.
• Economic Development–constantly looking to add businesses to the Gurnee mix such as Texas Roadhouse, Ashley Furniture and Buona Beef.
• Improved collaboration with the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce and provided funding to supplement their staff. Membership is way up, mixers are held every 2-3 months
• Recognizes local businesses via Ribbon cuttings, and Social Media Campaigns such as Alfresco Friday and Small Business Spotlight.
• Created a promotional video for Gurnee Mills to boost holiday sales.
• Promotes our partners Gurnee Mills, Six Flags and Great Wolf.
• Promotes and supports our schools. Regularly meets with superintendents of schools.
• Fun Facts:
  • Gurnee Mills revenue is in the top 1% of Malls in the United States.
  • BCU is #1 out of 60 BCU credit unitions in the country.
  • Gurnee’s Coopers Hawk is #4 of 64 in the country.

Tom is a strong advocate for our Village’s seniors. “Our Seniors’ life experiences are a treasure, not to be lost. I value our Seniors and their contributions to our Village.”

• Serves as Lake County’s Public Administrator and Public Guardian, caring for and advocating for seniors, the disabled and the economically disadvantaged who cannot take care of themselves.
• Coordinated with the Gurnee Police Department to provide valentines and visits for seniors in Gurnee’s senior facilities.
• Reduced the water rate for seniors.
• Support our Warren Township services to Seniors