Community sentiment outweighs support for video gambling in Libertyville
Libertyville officials have decided to pass on video gambling, saying the overall affect on the family-oriented community trumps the benefit to some businesses.
Trustees on Tuesday unanimously decided not to lift a ban on gambling that would have allowed for the installation of up to five video gambling machines at establishments that hold liquor licenses. A lack of local control over potential future changes to the state Video Gaming Act was another factor in the decision, officials said.
An official vote had been delayed to allow for a town-hall meeting, which held last month. About 100 people attended and dozens spoke with the overwhelming majority, including a consortium of churches, against the idea.
Board members at the time informally tipped their hands, and the 6-0 decision Tuesday was anti-climactic.
Trustee Donna Johnson said the board's goal is to balance its support of business and the impact of decisions on the community overall.
She noted that tavern owner Ed Downing, who this past summer asked that the ban be lifted, has had limited support at public venues. The village board's license and permits committee recommended it be forwarded to the full board for consideration.
It became apparent Downing's request was "far outweighed" by resident concerns, Johnson added. She said she didn't think video gambling was appropriate in the "family oriented" community and also feared the lack of local control over the state-controlled enterprise.
"There's not a compelling enough reason at this point to have it in Libertyville," she said.
Trustee Rich Moras agreed and said it wasn't just about allowing Downing to have the machines. Other factors, such as the proliferation of cafe chains with liquor licenses and other locations that could become "a hiding place for people with gambling problems" also was a factor.
"My concern is the unforeseen consequences," he said.
Mayor Terry Weppler, who votes only in the case of a tie, thanked Downing and said the board appreciates the input of businesses and residents.
"I really have a problem with the fact we have absolutely no control over these machines," he said.
Afterward, Downing said he wasn't surprised by the vote but did not intend to gather signatures to place the question on the April ballot.
Downing said he has lost business from retirees who go to Mundelein to play the machines and has been working with Jimmie Hayes of ASAP Gaming, a state licensed terminal operator. Hayes said there had been interest from other Libertyville bar owners but that didn't translate to a unified front.
"We can't push water uphill," Hayes said. "We finished something we started."