Karen ‘KT’ Thorstenson: 2025 candidate for Gurnee village board

Bio

Office Sought: Gurnee village board (Vote for 3)

City: Gurnee

Age: No answer given

Occupation: Business continuity and disaster response senior advisor

Previous offices held: Chair, Gurnee Economic Dev, PZB, Trustee effective October 2015

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?

Gurnee needs to continue to grow our essential services to meet community needs, without a tax levy. In order to do this, we need to set a target on alternative tax revenues, e.g. sales and hotel tax, so that we can grow these revenues proactively on a trajectory to pay for increased police and other essential services.

In other words, we need to specifically plan for increased alternative revenues to meet our budget growth needs for police, camera systems throughout the community and other essential services.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

Gurnee's finances are exceptionally managed, evidenced with no long-term debt, and expenditures are conservatively considered and appropriated as needed. Top priorities need to continue to focus on infrastructure improvements so as to prioritize road and water main replacement costs, and, reduce unplanned emergency costs.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

The most important infrastructure project would be water mains and secondly, to ensure our water supply redundancy is tested and available. We cannot put any projects on the back burner, however, we can slow start dates.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

Last year, Gurnee realized we needed to increase our water bill to cover the increased water costs from the supplier. While Gurnee is still one of the lowest water costs from our provider, I advocated for seniors to have a reduced water bill. This policy was endorsed and followed. My decision may not always win, but I work diligently to communicate the need and hope that I am successful in persuading the board.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I lead Gurnee's Environmental Sustainability Committee, and I am the trustee assigned to both the Gurnee Business Award and the Best of Gurnee Award program. Bringing the business and residential community together on sustainability goals, and recognizing business strategic growth via grant needs and business accomplishments are essential activities.

My board vote (decisions) demonstrate that I listen and represent the residents in our new business projects. These are examples that I am the best candidate for the role.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

Gurnee recognizes our “Big 3” businesses. Our next step is to proactively cultivate and invest in our growth of our “Big 4 and 5” to establish a stronger base of revenues for the future and enable us to continue to not levy a property tax for our residents.