Gurnee honors local hero as Red Ribbon Week begins

In a recent meeting of the Gurnee Village Board, Mayor Thomas Hood opened with a heartfelt tribute to Don Henderson, a respected community member and local builder who passed away at the age of 95. Henderson was recognized for his significant contributions to the village, including his involvement in the police department and local businesses.

The board proceeded to approve several items on the consent agenda, including the minutes from the October 7 meeting, payroll totaling over $1 million, and bills amounting to nearly $1.67 million.

A key highlight of the meeting was the proclamation of October 23rd through 31st, 2024, as Red Ribbon Week in Gurnee. This initiative, part of a national drug prevention campaign, encourages community members to engage in drug-free activities and raise awareness about the dangers of drug use. The theme for this year is \"Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free,\" promoting the idea that individuals can make a difference in fostering safe and healthy communities.

In new business, the board approved a request from the police and fire departments to waive the formal bidding process for the purchase of emergency fire dispatch software from Priority Dispatch Corporation, at a cost of $107,734. This expense is eligible for full reimbursement from the Lake County ETSB, as Gurnee prepares to join the consolidated dispatch center in Libertyville. The software aims to standardize protocols and improve efficiency in emergency response, aligning Gurnee with other participating agencies.

The meeting concluded with updates on the ongoing recruitment for an executive director for the dispatch center, with 46 applicants having applied by the closing date. The construction of the new facility remains on track for a mid-2025 completion.