Gurnee Schools

From public to private to parochial, Gurnee students have access to a variety of educational options throughout their school years. Academic excellence and lifelong learning are hallmarks of educational opportunity in Gurnee, where schools provide a safe, nurturing and innovative learning environment. Gurnee schools empower students to achieve success while embracing and
celebrating individual differences and developing lifelong learners
with a global perspective.

Gurnee Elementary District 56

Prairie Trail School
13600 W. Wadsworth Rd.
Wadsworth, IL 60083-8606
(847) 623-4333

River Trail School
333 N. O’Plaine Rd.
Gurnee, IL 60031-2636
(847) 249-6253

Spaulding School
2000 Belle Plaine Ave.
Gurnee, IL 60031-5571
(847) 662-3701

Viking Middle School
4460 Grand Ave.
Gurnee, IL 60031-2620
(847) 336-2108

Woodland Elementary District 50

Woodland Elementary East School
17261 W. Gages Lake Rd.
Gages Lake, IL 60030
(847) 984-8800

Woodland Elementary West School
17371 W. Gages Lake Rd.
Gages Lake, IL 60030
(847) 984-8900

Woodland Intermediate School
1115 N. Hunt Club Rd.
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 596-5900

Woodland Middle School
7000 Washington St.
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 856-3400

Woodland Primary School
17366 W. Gages Lake Rd.
Gages Lake, IL 60030
(847) 984-8700

Warren Township High School District 121

Almond Road Campus
34090 Almond Rd.
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 662-1400

O’Plaine Campus
500 N. O’Plaine Rd.
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 662-1400


Warren Township

Warren Township Center
17801 W. Washington St
(847) 244-1101, ext 100

Youth and Family Service & Special Recreation Association
100 S. Greenleaf St.
(847) 244-1101, Ext. 401

Gurnee Teen Center
17801 W. Washington St.
(847) 244-1101, Ext. 451

Senior Services
17801 W. Washington St.
(847) 244-1101, Ext. 501


Gurnee Park District

Viking Park
Administrative & Registration Office
4374 Old Grand Ave.
(847) 623-7788

Hunt Club Park
Registration Office & Community Center
920 N. Hunt Club Rd.
(847) 623-7788

FitNation
1655 Nations Dr.
(847) 623-4506

Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center
900 N. Hunt Club Rd.
(847) 599-3780

Grandwood Park Park District
36630 N. Hutchins Rd.
(847) 356-0008
www.grandwoodpark.net


Six Flags Great America

Gurnee residents don’t have to go far for thrills and all-day entertainment. Six Flags Great America offers a full calendar of fun in addition to rides for all ages, dining, shopping, live entertainment and educational events.

Great America’s summer season runs through Labor Day weekend. New this year is Mardi Gras Hangover, the park’s 16th roller coaster and the “world’s largest” loop coaster. Riders sit back-to-back and face-to-face as they travel forward and backward on a 100-foot loop before being suspended upside down for an extended hang time.

In keeping with the Mardi Gras theme, Great America also will debut a Mardi Gras festival in late summer 2018 featuring nightly shows, Mardi Gras-style floats, beads, stilt walkers, unique food offerings and fireworks. Other summer highlights include a July 4 festival and Coasters After Dark.

Once the park closes for the summer, the fun doesn’t end. Fright Fest, on select days from Sept. 15 through Oct. 28, celebrates the spooky season. Great America is family friendly by day, and once the sun goes down, zombies and ghouls roam the park for terrifying thrills. Haunted houses and “scare zones” throughout the park add to the ambience. Entertainment includes a synchronized LED light show, and The Ringmaster’s Cabaret, featuring song, dance, illusions and freaky creatures.

The year wraps up with Holiday in the Park, Great America’s first holiday festival, running on weekends Nov. 23 through Dec. 23 and daily Dec. 26-31. Guests will enjoy rides, holiday-themed shows, seasonal food and dazzling park décor including more than 1 million LED lights and decorated Christmas trees. In addition, Holiday in the Park will feature a nightly tree-lighting ceremony, brilliant light shows and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“Six Flags is creating a new season of thrills as the park is transformed into a winter wonderland with a million dazzling lights and all the magical sights, sounds and tastes of the holidays,” said Park President Hank Salemi. “We are excited to extend our operating calendar and make Gurnee the premier place to spend the holiday season.”

For more details, visit www.sixflags.com.


Hometown Profiles

Fore See Electric

When it comes to your home or business, it’s important to have an electrical contractor you can depend on. You want someone who is licensed, insured and above all professional. That’s why so many in Gurnee rely on Fore See Electric for all their electrical service needs.

Family- owned and operated since 1977, Fore See Electric provides quality work; finishing on time and on budget.

Whether doing a remodel or a new build, Fore See can do all of the wiring and re-wiring, indoor and outdoor lighting, service upgrades, panel replacements, generator installations and media wiring. With their business split 50/50 between commercial and residential, Fore See Electric has the experience and knowledge that is required for any electrical project. No job is too big or too small. Specialties include room additions, kitchen and bath remodels, basement finishing and home improvement. The company offers discounts to veterans and senior citizens.

“When my father started the company in 1977, Gurnee was a much smaller community,” said owner Craig Leafblad. “Over the years, we have shown that we are a company that you can turn to when needed, to get a job done and done right.”

One company that turned to Fore See Electric was Quality Catering, a business that has a mission to “promote proper child development and lifelong healthful eating habits through meal catering, nutrition education and support for healthy eating.”

“Our work for Quality Catering was important not only for what their company is doing for kids, but also for what it showed the community,” Leafblad said. “We are a small company that does big work.”

Fore See Electric has been an integral part of the Gurnee business community for 41 years, having done electrical work for many Gurnee community buildings, including the fire department, police department, park district and the public works building.

Fore See Electric has been an active member of the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce for the past three years.

“We joined the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce to be more connected with the community and to participate in more community events,” Leafblad said. “Our membership has given us much more exposure, not only to the business community, but also to the people of Gurnee.”

Participation in the community has included sports teams sponsorships, as well as the annual “touch a truck” event. Fore See Electric also supports the Equestrian Connection, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, the Allendale Association and the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, to name a few.

Leafblad has spent his entire life in Gurnee serving the people in his community. He believes that although Gurnee is much larger than it was when he started, it still has a neighborly feel. He knows many of his customers because they have been with him for many years.

“Our customers know that they can trust us to do the work.” Leafbald said. “We take pride in having a clean slate for over 40 years.”

Fore See Electric is there when needed. The experienced staff is dedicated to providing each customer with quality service at a competitive price.

Honey Orthodontics

For more information, visit www.foresee-electric.com. oney Orthodontics is astate-of-the-art office providing orthodontic treatment with both braces and Invisalign to children and adults. The office is equipped with the latest technology and is completely impression free. The digital scanner and 3-D printing capabilities allow for comfortable, efficient and patient-friendly care.

Dr. Oana Honey is an orthodontic specialist. After completing dental school, she continued her education by attending the University of Minnesota for her orthodontics residency. As the practice’s only doctor, Dr. Honey gets to know all her patients and their families and has an in-depth knowledge of their treatment at every single appointment. The whole team working at Honey Orthodontics loves straightening teeth and with their many years of experience provide excellent treatment while making it fun in the process!

As a mom of four children, Dr. Honey understands both the kids’ needs and the parents’ busy schedules. Honey Orthodontics strives to provide excellent communication so patients always know what to expect. They value their patients’ other commitments and take pride in running on time. The appointments can be set up during early morning times or after school or work.

Honey Orthodontics loves to be involved in the community by sponsoring numerous Gurnee and surrounding community park district events, as well as providing both education and support for neighboring school districts. They have become a memorable presence in the Gurnee Days parade.

Visit the website at www.honeyorthodontics.com to learn more about their office and to schedule a complimentary evaluation appointment.

Anthony Buick GMC

Honest. Reputable. Good value. These are just some of the comments customers make about Anthony Buick GMC. The General Motors dealership receives favorable reviews time and time again for customer service.

“Customer service is the backbone of our business,” said owner Tony Augelli. “We have won the Customer Appreciation Award from General Motors every year, since the start of our business.”

In business since 1991, Anthony Buick GMC offers a full range a Buick and GMC products, from budget vehicles to luxury sedans, convertibles and crossover models. And they make sure that every pre-owned vehicle is carefully inspected, reconditioned and certified by Anthony Buick GMC’s service department.

“All pre-owned vehicles go through a 127 point vehicle inspection,” Augelli said. “If the pre-owned vehicle doesn’t pass our inspection, we do not offer it for sale.”

Anthony Buick GMC puts the needs of the customer first. Customers are assured of getting the right car at the right price.

“Customers know their payment terms before entering the finance office,” Augelli said. “We have excellent rates and terms available to save our customers money.”

Interested in a professional grade truck or SUV? The dealership offers GMC models with extreme trailering and payload capability, making it easy to transport a boat or carry heavy equipment.

The Gurnee area business community is very important to Anthony Buick GMC. Whether a customer is in need of a car, van or truck, the dealership staff will make sure that it is the right vehicle for the job. They will work out the financing needed to expand the company’s fleet and follow up with full commercial vehicle maintenance and support.

“I am very fortunate to have an incredible sales and service staff who serve our customers on a daily basis,” Augelli said. “It is their hard work and devotion to customer service that has made our success possible.”

The service department goes the extra mile to keep cars maintained and in excellent condition. Pit Stop Service, which includes topping off fluids and checking tire air pressure, is available to customers between oil changes. The dealership provides a free car wash and vacuuming with any service.

In an effort to help out seniors and military personnel, the dealership offers a 10 percent discount every day on their service and parts purchases.

Anthony Buick GMC has been a member of the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce for the past 19 years and is an active member of the Gurnee community.

“We support the Gurnee Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Gurnee Fire Department and Lake County juvenile officers, to mention a few,” Augelli said. “We are also a loyal sponsor for the Woodland School District.”

Anthony Buick GMC contributes to a number of charitable organizations, including breast cancer fundraisers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Asthma Research, Unforgotten Riders and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Augelli and his staff welcome the opportunity to work with customers to find the right car at the right price.

“We are very proud of the Buick and GMC line-up of vehicles,” he said. “The design and safety features are outstanding. We have a vehicle to fit anyone’s requirements.”

Augelli and staff also treat customers like family, assuring everyone who walks through the door that “you have a friend at Anthony.”

Central Bark Gurnee

Central Bark Gurnee at 3880 Grove Ave. is your local spot for the best in doggy day care. They provide all-important socialization and exercise for appropriate dogs in a safe, clean and fun environment. Appropriate dogs are those who are up to date on all vaccinations, are spayed/neutered if over 6 months old and have passed an initial behavior assessment.

The facility offers 7,500 square feet of both indoor and outdoor play areas for group play supervised by carefully trained staff, some of whom have been with them since opening day. In addition, they offer overnight boarding, grooming, group training classes with a certified trainer and a retail area where you can purchase dog food, toys, gear and more. They are here to meet all your doggy needs.

Central Bark Gurnee is part of the Central Bark franchise that started in 2003 and now has 25 stores in seven states. While providing personalized, individual attention to the dogs of this community, they are also able to reap the benefits of being part of an organization that leads the field in doggy daycare.

This business has been part of this community for almost five years and has grown significantly since opening in June 2013, starting with just one dog per week, and now caring for about 125 dogs per week. “Our clients trust us because they know we love and care for their dogs like they’re our own,” said Central Bark Gurnee owner Layne Pollard, also a Gurnee resident.

Pollard also takes pride in giving back to the community. The business held fundraisers for and donated to local animal and rescue groups like WAGS, Lake County Pet Food Pantry, Secondhand Snoots and Green Pup. Central Bark has even fostered two dogs who were successfully adopted. They are there during times of specific need as well, contributing to PAWS Chicago’s Hurricane Harvey relief effort and the South Suburban Humane Society, which rescued 52 neglected dogs from one home late last year.

For additionl information or to request a tour, call Pollard at (847) 672-6188, email him at gurnee@centralbarkusa.com or visit www.centralbarkusa.com/gurnee. Check out the Central Bark Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ CentralBarkGurnee.

Bubblefast, LLC

Bubblefast, LLC is a Gurnee family business providing high- quality shipping supplies to local and online communities since 1999.

Owners Mark and Robin Le Vine started Bubblefast as a home-based business operating from their garage. The company began with the sale of a single roll of bubble cushioning on eBay. With the rise of popularity of selling wares online on sites like eBay, the Le Vines saw the need for a friendly, reliable supplier of reasonably priced shipping supplies. They developed a relationship with a bubble cushioning provider and with the sale of that one product, Bubblefast was born.

The business grew quickly, and when semi-trucks started delivering loads of supplies to their home, the Le Vines realized they needed to find a larger site for their business. The company has a warehouse at 101 Ambrogio (Unit K) in Gurnee, as well as distribution sites in California and Ontario, Canada.

Bubblefast is a one-stop shop for all packing, moving and shipping supplies. Whether you need boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, tape, foam rolls, poly bags, any kind of mailing envelope or creative ideas for how to best pack your specific item, Bubblefast will help you choose the right items for the job.

Bubblefast also sells on a variety of online platforms, including the company website, www.bubblefast.com, and offers thousands of solutions for all kinds of packing challenges. The Bubblefast website also features a free beginner’s guide to selling on Amazon.

Mark and Robin are also e-commerce experts, are members of a national online selling community and are co-organizers of an annual e-commerce conference in Elk Grove Village (eCom Chicago).

Call or stop by to ask them about eCom Chicago or bounce your shipping or e-commerce questions off of them. And if you happen to have any reindeer that need packing, Bubblefast has you covered.

Call Mark and Robin at (847) 599-SHIP or email mark@bubblefast.com.


Economic Development

Most residents of Gurnee clearly recall exactly why they first moved to Gurnee: They were looking for a safe, family friendly community, with wonderful amenities, especially Grade A schools, beautiful parks and recreational facilities, and a great location – easy to get anywhere. Sound familiar?

Gurnee’s 23 million annual visitors keep coming back year after year for fun and family time: Gurnee offers the Midwest’s premier entertainment at Six Flags Great America/Hurricane Harbor and the best cluster of shopping and dining anywhere in the area, anchored by Gurnee Mills. It’s all here, for a quick shopping trip, a day visit, a weekend or a week.

Businesses are drawn by many of those same amenities; residents and visitors are their employees and customers. In addition, Gurnee’s fiscal stability means that business’ costs will remain competitive and predictable; the Village of Gurnee has not levied a property tax since the year 2000. Public services are highly reliable; critical infrastructure is modern and well-maintained.

Our local economy is strong. Economic development is about preserving this foundation while seeking new opportunities to diversify Gurnee’s revenues and employment base.

Revenues generated by retail sales and tourism help to fund infrastructure (roads, sewer, water) and approximately half of all village operations, including police, fire, and public works. The village receives 2 percent of each retail shopping dollar and 3 percent of each dining dollar spent in town. When you shop or dine in Gurnee, you are making a direct investment in our future!

Skilled manufacturing and corporate offices generate property taxes that support our schools, parks, library and other non-village services. These companies also provide high quality jobs for Gurnee residents. Over 94 percent of Gurnee residents ages 25 and over are high school graduates, and 47 percent hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. With an educated workforce, central location and proximity to world-class research laboratories and educational institutions, Gurnee is well-positioned to continue attracting innovative, high-tech companies.

A key goal articulated by many residents over the years has been the revitalization of East Grand Avenue. The village kicked off a “clean up and green up” initiative last year with installation of new landscape plantings to soften and beautify the corridor; many of the beautiful plants were supplied locally. UHaul has reopened for moving truck rental, with plans to renovate into a climate-controlled self- storage facility. Plans are in the works for a fun family event on East Grand in 2018; stay tuned! Please remember to support our East Grand Avenue businesses, and keep them on your shopping “loop.” We’re all in this together!

Independent businesses are vital to maintaining the hometown feel of Gurnee. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with the goings-on of independent Gurnee businesses, including many of the local restaurants listed in the Independent Restaurant Guide on page 11. Whenever you’re looking for local places to shop or dine, we encourage you to search the Gurnee Business Directory on the village’s website or the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce website. Remember to nominate your favorite Gurnee businesses for the “Best of Gurnee” awards which are presented by Mayor Kovarik each spring and fall to businesses that exemplify Gurnee’s hometown spirit and generosity!

We invite you to visit the village’s business page at www.gurnee.il.us/business. To keep tabs on what’s new in Gurnee, check out the monthly Projects in Progress report featuring current development projects and new businesses.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the village’s economic development division at (847) 599-7574 or edean@village.gurnee.il.us. We want to hear from you!


Gurnee Shopping

Gurnee is very well known for shopping. From the small-business boutique shops to the largest outlet mall in Illinois, Gurnee Mills, and everything in-between.

Our very own Ace hardware is a landmark in the community and offers just about everything you need in home hardware, lawnmowers, grills and much, much more. The Ace staff also has the knowledge to share with you on your home projects. Speaking of home needs, Iskalis American Floor Show has a large in-house stock of carpets, wood and tile flooring. Flooring is installed by factory-trained flooring professionals.

When you’re ready to remodel, Stone Cabinet Works will help you transform your kitchen and bath.

PPG Paints have the paint and supplies you need to spruce up your home or business. Waukegan/Gurnee Glass Company is the only choice for glass and screen. Balmes Flowers make beautiful arrangements for many events, including prom, weddings, funerals and business and personal occasions. Next door to Balmes Flowers is Honey Baked Ham where you can pick up lunch, dinner or that special occasion meal. Don’t forget to stop by Nothing Bundt Cakes to pick up a delicious hand-crafted cake for dessert.

Cell phone shopping? Go to AT&T or Sprint for that up-to-date cell phone or your home cable/TV subscription. Home shopping is better when you have the right Realtor. Luckily we have two of the best in town, Century 21 Affiliated and James Smith Re/Max.

The Gurnee Chamber of Commerce thanks you for shopping in our member stores and above all for shopping local.


Board Members

CHAIRMAN
Dan Kloczkowski
(847) 249-4910, KHM Plastics

VICE CHAIRMAN
Nick Phillips
(847) 244-5100, NorthSide Community Bank

TREASURER
Garrett Koncan
(847) 244-8400, Ameriprise Financial

SECRETARY
Terri Peterson
(847) 403-8428, First American Bank

DIRECTORS

Alex Attiah
(847) 548-5610, Century 21 Affiliated

Jeanne Balmes
Village of Gurnee Trustee

Richard Diesterheft
(847) 615-7076, Town Planner

Mark Le Vine
(877) 599-7447, Bubblefast

Maureen Kmieciak
(847) 856-8220, Speedpro Imaging

John Krajnak
(847) 625-7510, Six Flags Great America