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Algonquin candidates differ on video gambling

The four men running for three seats on the Algonquin village board are divided on whether to allow video gambling in the village.

When several nearby towns voted in favor of it during the summer, Algonquin decided to watch how it was going in those communities. Many of Algonquin’s neighbors have approved video gambling, including Huntley, Carpentersville and Lake in the Hills.

The Algonquin village board is scheduled to take a vote later this month.

Incumbents Brian Dianis, Jerry Glogowski and newcomer Richard Flynn oppose video gambling because they don’t think it would be right for the village’s image. Trustee Robert Smith, though, says video gambling won’t corrupt the residents of Algonquin.

Said Flynn, “We have churches in our community and I’m afraid of the clientele that we’re going to draw (with video gambling).”

He suggester voters have a say through a referendum, rather than a vote of trustees. Glogowski agreed and said that could have happened if the business owners were organized and had gathered enough signatures to put in on the ballot.

“I was just disappointed that they didn’t take that step,” Glogowski said.

Dianis worries about what control, if any, Algonquin would have on video gambling in the village, because it’s regulated by the state. Although he’s against it now, he said he’ll keep an open mind when it’s time to vote.

If Algonquin is able to put some restrictions on video gambling and add its own guidelines, “It may be a feasible thing to have in our community,” Glogowski said.

Establishments licensed to serve alcohol are the only ones allowed to have video gaming terminals, and 42 businesses would qualify in Algonquin.

Smith, meanwhile, said the industry is tightly regulated by the state, and it makes no sense to ban it when people can partake in other forms of gambling. And video gambling could be the difference between keeping and losing local jobs.

“The businesses need this,” he said, “the small businesses are having a tough time.”

Jerry Glogowski
Richard Flynn
Robert Smith
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