West Dundee bans video gambling

The West Dundee village board joined their counterparts in neighboring communities Monday by approving an ordinance prohibiting video gambling machines in local restaurants, bars and clubs.

Despite a resident's call to table the resolution, trustees voted 5-0 to ban the machines, just as neighboring East Dundee and Carpentersville have.

State lawmakers approved the use of video gambling machines outside casinos as a way to fund about one-third of the state's $31 billion capital improvement plan.

Municipalities and counties that control unincorporated areas may ban the machines at a local level, either by ordinance or ballot measure. Communities that allow the machines receive 5 percent of revenues.

But West Dundee officials said the state has not yet exhausted other funding mechanisms.

"I don't think anyone is denying the importance of the capital bill, or the long overdue need for infrastructure improvements ...," Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said. "There are other options the state could pursue - like increasing the motor fuel tax, which makes more sense to go to road and infrastructure improvements. Video gambling is the easy way out."

Trustees also said the machines would capitalize on people's weaknesses.

"This would be giving some people more reason to spend money that they might not have," Trustee Andrew Yuscka said.

But some audience members said the legalization of gambling has contributed to improvements in other towns, and would generate much-needed revenue for the village.

"This is a source of revenue that we need," said Peter D'Angelo, a 30-year resident of West Dundee. "We can look at other communities that have gambling, like Elgin. Look what it has done for them ... I know what they looked like 30 years ago and I know what Elgin looks like now. They spent the money wisely."

D'Angelo also asked board members what they were voting against, given the Illinois Gaming Board had yet to finalize rules and regulations.

More than 70 municipalities and counties across the state have opted out of allowing video gambling machines.