Don Wilson odd incumbent out in Gurnee trustee race

Gurnee Trustee Don Wilson fell short in what was a battle of the village board incumbents.

Jeanne Balmes, Thomas Hood and Karen Thorstenson won the three 4-year trustee positions in this week's election. Wilson, who said he wants to remain active in Gurnee by helping other residents run for public office, will exit the village board after one 4-year term.

Four incumbents typically would not have competed for the three seats, but the election quirk resulted because Thorstenson was appointed to fill two years of a 4-year trustee term that became open with Steve Park's resignation soon after he was elected in 2015.

Wilson said he was willing to question some initiatives pushed by Mayor Kristina Kovarik, who was unopposed for another 4-year term. For example, he disagreed with a $15,000 expense last summer for Urban Land Institute consultants who recommended the village promote low-cost stores on Grand Avenue east of Route 41 in an effort to boost the area.

"My big concern is, who is going to ask the questions now?" Wilson said Friday.

Hood said he and the other trustees don't have problems questioning Kovarik on issues, and sometimes do so individually outside of public meetings. He said questions or concerns can be addressed before a village board vote.

As he heads into his second, 4-year term, Hood said he'll continue his participation on a village committee tasked with reducing expenses in Gurnee's departments.

"I'm looking forward to doing that," he said.

In a tally of all 30 precincts, unofficial results show Balmes had 1,718 votes, followed by Hood's 1,637, Thorstenson's 1,626 and Wilson's 1,252.

Michael Jacobs, a former village board member, was the only candidate who sought the 2-year balance of the seat Thorstenson has occupied since Park's departure.