The Blackboard Connect CTY service allows authorized Village of Gurnee staff and emergency dispatchers to create and rapidly disseminate time-sensitive messages to every e-mail address and telephone number stored in the notification database. With the Finalsite Connect service, authorized users can contact thousands of residents/businesses in minutes. Only authorized users are allowed access to the system.

Authorized staff record or compose a voice or e-mail message that is then delivered quickly to individual phones in the notification database.

Any message regarding the safety or welfare of our community would be disseminated using the Finalsite Connect service. Examples include severe weather warnings and updates, flooding concerns, and any other situation that could impact the safety or welfare of our residents. The service is also used for non-emergency purposes to provide information such as waste service delays or mosquito treatments. You can opt out of the non-emergency alerts if you do not want to receive those.

It is our intention and hope that every residence and commercial facility in the Village of Gurnee is included in the notification database. For residents, we may have more than one number that belongs to you in the database. Additionally, you may request to have a secondary number entered into our database for priority calling.

Yes, we can accept cell phones as secondary phone numbers in the database and encourage you to request that your number be included. You can update your contact information via a paper form available at the Gurnee Village Hall (325 N. O'Plaine Road) or by emailing us at connect@village.gurnee.il.us

Finalsite Connect takes security and privacy concerns very seriously and does not sell, trade, lease, or loan any data about our clients to any third party. From a technical perspective, we utilize multiple physical and virtual layers of firewalls to maintain data security. Finalsite Connect utilizes only secure transmissions with its customers. No confidential information is ever transmitted between Finalsite Connect and its customers using email or FTP; all information is secured using VPN or FTP. Data is hosted in state-of-the-art facilities which require photo identification, thumb-print recognition, keyed access, and are manned 24/7 with security personnel. All data is encrypted prior to being stored offsite. Blackboard Connect also retains an external, independent security firm to perform annual security audits.

The caller ID number for calls generated by the Finalsite Connect service will be from (847) 599-7555. In addition, every message will begin with the same standard announcement: "Hello, this is the Village of Gurnee/Gurnee Police Department with an important message regarding _________." The message content will follow this standard introduction.

There are several varieties of call screening devices that use differing protocols for screening. In general, the system has been found to work with these devices, but some may require some type of pre-programming to allow the Village's phone number to pass through. We may conduct periodic tests to assure that messages are being delivered to numbers in the notification database.

Should a situation arise that requires us to contact you at multiple phone numbers, we can activate the system to place a simultaneous call to all of your numbers. In most cases, we will be sending calls to only one phone number.

Yes. The area code does not impact whether or not a call is made.

For busy signals, the call will be repeated several times in an attempt to reach you. The same is true for no answer or call waiting. If a message recorder answers the phone, the message will be left on the answering device. If, after several attempts, the call does not successfully go through, the system will stop attempting to call.

Yes. Please contact us at 847-599-7500 or by email at connect@village.gurnee.il.us to change the phone number in our notification database.

Yes. At the end of the message playback, simply press the (*) key on your telephone to have it repeated in its entirety. Alternatively, calling 847-599-7555 will get you to the FinalsiteConnect voicemail that replays the message.

Repeating or looping of messages happens when the system detects excessive noise in the background. Loud radio/television volumes, people talking, or busy traffic noise can cause this. When you receive the next call, say "hello" once and turn down the volume of your radio/television or press the mute button on your telephone to allow full message delivery.