Gurnee, Illinois

Gurnee is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 28,834 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 30,772 in 2005. The village borders the city of Waukegan and is considered a part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Gurnee is perhaps best known for being the location of Six Flags Great America, a theme park. The village is home to many Chicago Bears players, including NFL recordholder Devin Hester, Gurnee has benefited from its location as the midway point between Milwaukee and Chicago.

Geography
Gurnee is located at 42.36667°N, -87.93333°W (42.3737, -87.9344).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 13.4 sqmi, of which, 13.4 sqmi is land and 0.07% is water. Gurnee is located on the banks of the Des Plaines River and is split by Interstate 94 which divides the village into East (old) and west (new) sides.

Major Streets

 * [[Image:I-94.svg|20px]] Tri-State Tollway
 * [[Image:US 41.svg|20px]] Skokie Highway
 * [[Image:US 45.svg|20px]]
 * [[Image:Illinois 21.svg|20px]] Riverside Drive
 * [[Image:Illinois 120.svg|20px]] Belvidere Road
 * [[Image:Illinois 132.svg|20px]] Grand Avenue
 * Rollins Road
 * Washington Street
 * Hunt Club Road
 * Stearns School Road
 * Gages Lake Road
 * Dilleys Road
 * Milwaukee Avenue
 * Kilbourn Road
 * Oplaine Road
 * Greenleaf Avenue
 * Delany Road
 * Sunset Avenue
 * Almond Road

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,834 people, 10,629 households, and 7,716 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,151.6 people per square mile (830.8/km2). There were 10,929 housing units at an average density of 815.5 per square mile (314.9/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 82.12% White, 5.06% African American, 0.18% Native American, 8.20% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.15% from other races, and 2.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.03% of the population. 21.7% were of German, 10.0% Irish, 7.6% Italian, 7.3% Polish and 5.8% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 10,629 households out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the village the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 37.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the village was $71,455, and the median income for a family was $81,200. Males had a median income of $56,274 versus $35,713 for females. The per capita income for the village was $31,517. About 2.6% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

History
Early settlers in the Gurnee area came by foot horseback and by "Prairie Schooners" drawn by oxen or via the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes. They came from the town of Warren, New York, which was named in honor of Major General Joseph Warren, killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Warren Township, formed in 1850, was also named after him. The first settlement of Warren Township commenced in 1835 in the vicinity of the Aux Plaines River (now the Des Plaines River).

In 1835-36, a land company from New York State erected a Community House (site of the old Gurnee Grade School) to accommodate families while they were locating and getting government land grants to their farms. Near the Community House there was a ford used by the Potowatomi Indians for crossing the river. A floating log bridge was built there in about 1842. Later a stationary wooden bridge was constructed, and still later an iron bridge was erected. With the erection of a permanent bridge, roads were established and this area became the hub of the township. It was at this junction that the Milwaukee Road crossed the river from west to east and then continued in a northeasterly direction to eventually join Chicago to Milwaukee. This road was "laid out" in 1836 by three early settlers, Thomas McClure, Mark Noble, and Richard Steele. The east-west road, now known as Grand Avenue, was a main route from McHenry County to the port of Waukegan. Stage coaches ran on this route as late as 1890.

The village is named after the train-station that was built there. The station was named after Walter S. Gurnee, one of the directors of the train route. It is possible that Mr. Gurnee never took a step in the village of Gurnee.

Just east of the bridge, at the junction of Milwaukee Road and Grand Avenue, was the Mutaw Tavern, earlier known as "Marm Rudd's Tavern" and more recently as the Mother Rudd House. This was a stage coach stop between Chicago and Milwaukee and was a stopover for farmers from the west traveling to Little Fort (Waukegan) to barter their crops for supplies and to ship out from the ports. It also served as a stop during the underground railroad. This building was acquired by the Village of Gurnee in 1984, has been restored, and now houses the Warren Township Historical Society.

In May 2004 Gurnee received major rainfall, causing the worst flooding in 100 years. The flood caused major building damage and flooded roads that overpassed the Des Plaines River. At the intersection near Viking Middle School (Grand Avenue and O'Plaine Road), people had to canoe to get out of their house. This had been called "The Hundred Year Flood". Three years later, there was another major flood.

Notable institutions
Gurnee is home to Gurnee Mills, the fourth largest shopping mall in Illinois, which includes McDonald's, Rink Side Family Entertainment Center and Ice Arena. Gurnee also includes Six Flags Great America, a large amusement park, along with Key Lime Cove Water Resort.

The majority of the eastern half of the village is served by Gurnee School District #56. Four schools make up District #56. They are: Gurnee Grade School (grades K-8), O'Plaine School (grades 3-5), Spaulding School (grades PK-2), and Viking Middle School (grades 6-8). Viking Middle school is renowned for its award-winning drama and arts programs, along with its beautiful architecture.

The western section of Gurnee, along with portions of the village's eastside is served by Woodland Grade School District #50. Woodland comprises Woodland Middle School (grades 6-8), Woodland Intermediate School (grades 4-5), Woodland Elementary School (grades 1-3), and Woodland Primary School (K). Woodland is primarily the larger school.

The village is served by Warren Township High School which is made up of the O'Plaine Road Campus (freshmen and sophomores) and the Almond Road Campus (juniors and seniors).

According to the 2007 state report card, Gurnee School District #56 has full recognition. Woodland District #50 also has full recognition. Warren High School District #121 is in the third year of Academic Watch Status. Warren has this status because the district failed to meet the minimum standards of No Child Left Behind for six years in a row.

Following the PSAE test in April, 2009, Warren was the subject of an investigation by the Illinois State Board of Education. In July, 2009, the ISBE found that the school district had violated state and federal law when they prevented over 150 juniors from taking the state assessment. Because of the illegal action, the high school will fail its 2009 Report Card no matter how well the students do on the test. Superintendent Sobocinski believed that other schools in the state did the same thing. He stated publicly, "If they get a pass, we want a pass."

Gurnee has been served by the Warren-Newport Public Library District since 1973.

Gurnee has a wide selection of restaurants and stores. Some stores include Sears Grand, Target, Walmart, Sam's Club, Old Navy, Walgreens, Borders, Home Depot, Jewel, PetSmart, Dominick's, and Menards. Some restaurants are Starbucks, Olive Garden, Oberweis, McDonald's, Wendy's, Applebee's, TGI Friday's, Lone Star, Tacos El Norte, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Panera, Steak 'n' Shake, Chipotle, Golden Corral, Einstein Bagels, Denny's, Potbelly, Noodles & Company, Salutos, Domino's, Baskin Robins, Dunkin' Doughnuts, Five Guys, and IHOP.

Transportation
Interstate 94 (The Tri-State Tollway) is the main expressway servicing Gurnee, allowing easy access to Milwaukee and Chicago.

Gurnee is notable as being one of the only major Chicago suburbs that is not serviced by Metra, although there are nearby stations in Waukegan, Grayslake, and Libertyville.

Drinking water supply
The Village of Gurnee water supply comes from the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA) located in Lake Bluff, IL. CLCJAWA purifies water from Lake Michigan.

Current Government
The village board of Gurnee is composed of a village president, a village clerk, and six trustees. All are elected to four year terms. Three of the trustees are elected every odd numbered year, while the president and clerk are elected every other odd numbered year.


 * Mayor: Kristina Kovarik (term ends 2013)
 * Clerk: Andy Harris (2013)
 * Trustee: Jeanne Balmes (2013)
 * Trustee: Kirk Morris (2013)
 * Trustee: Hank Schwarz (2013)
 * Trustee: Greg Garner (2011)
 * Trustee: Michael Jacobs (2011)
 * Trustee: Cheryl Ross (2011)

Mayors (Past and Present)

 * Leo Felton 1928-1941
 * Dr. W.W. Smith 1941-1942 (Resigned to enter Armed Services)
 * Wm. Barnstable 1942-1949
 * Gordon D. Gillings 1949-1973
 * Richard Welton 1973-2001
 * Don Rudny 2001-2005
 * Kristina Kovarik 2005–Present

Notable residents

 * Kevin Anderson, actor
 * Devin Hester, return specialist and wide receiver for the Chicago Bears
 * Johnny Knox, wide receiver and return man for the Chicago Bears
 * Chris Harris, safety for the Chicago Bears
 * Robbie Gould, kicker for the Chicago Bears
 * Dave Toub, special teams coach for the Chicago Bears
 * Tommie Harris, defensive tackle, pro bowler for the Chicago Bears