By Stephen Nelson
The accolades for Mayor Paul Schore were non-stop at the Monday, April 21, Bourbonnais Village Board meeting. Everyone, from trustees and department heads to family members, lauded Schore’s four terms as Bourbonnais’ top elected official. That run officially ends on April 30, and newly elected Mayor Jeff Keast takes over in May.
Asked what he considered were his most important accomplishments during his time at the helm, Schore pointed to the Exit 318 interchange on I-57. He said it was good planning for the future, as Bourbonnais continues to grow and already has produced benefits by relieving traffic congestion at Exit 315 in the vicinity of Armour Road. It was acknowledged that much of the credit for getting the interchange built belongs to former State Rep. Lisa Dugan, who lobbied hard for the project.
Schore said his second biggest accomplishment was the remake of the municipal campus, a project that was completed just months ago.
Schore said he looks forward to spending more time with his family and at his Indiana Beach lakeside property. Asked about a rumor that new Mayor Keast would appoint him to the trustee position he just vacated, Schore said, “It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Schore leaves the mayor post after 16 years. Before that, he was a village trustee for 12 years.