Endorsement: Tom Hood for Gurnee mayor

In selecting a village leader to replace outgoing Mayor Kristina Kovarik, who opted not to run for what could have been her fifth term, Gurnee voters will choose between two engaged. well-prepared attorneys with a lot to offer.

Tom Hood has a long track record in village leadership, including more than 20 years as chairman of the zoning board and eight years as a trustee. He currently serves as Gurnee's vice mayor.

David Weinstein serves on the Woodland Consolidated District 50 school board and has been involved with the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism and the Waukegan Expungement Clinic.

While we admire Weinstein's credentials and passion for the position, Hood's impressive village resume makes him best able to hit the ground running in these difficult times.

Hood has experience with the big issues Gurnee faces, including flooding, ETO emissions and the massive financial impact of the pandemic in a village that gets a great deal of its revenue from three hard-hit sources - Six Flags Great America, Gurnee Mills mall and Great Wolf Lodge. Thus far, Gurnee - which does not levy a village property tax - has handled the challenges well, thanks to reserves and other measures.

"I've been tested," Hood argues in making the case for his candidacy, and we agree that such experience is valuable.

Hood has our endorsement.