Hanover Park one step closer to new gaming cafe

The Village of Hanover Park is one step closer to getting a new video gambling cafe.

The village board Thursday unanimously approved an expansion in the number of liquor licenses gambling establishments need. Village Clerk Eira Corral said this sets the path for Betty's Bistro, operated by Blackhawk Restaurant Group, to open a location in the Greenbrook Shopping Center on Lake Street.

Trustee Edward Zimel was the only one to ask questions before the board voted to increase the number of Class E liquor licenses available to businesses.

Zimel, who previously served on the Hanover Park Liquor Licensing Commission, asked whether Blackhawk's current video gaming cafe in Hanover Park has caused any disruption in the neighborhood. The board agreed that Penny's Place on Wise Road has not spurred any complaints.

"Having this information is crucial to make a decision," Zimel said. "Even though we weren't approving the actual license, but the question, I feel, still needed to be answered."

Now, Blackhawk will have to get approved for their liquor license and gambling license before they can open Betty's Bistro. Corral said the entire approval process could take anywhere from a few months to a year.

If Betty's is approved for its liquor and gambling licenses, it will be Hanover Park's sixth location to offer video gaming.

Zimel says the community's thoughts on video gambling are mixed.

"The good thing is, when we passed the gambling ordinance, the board requested that all money that comes from gambling licensing, fees, fines and our share of the revenues all goes into the youth programs," Zimel said.

The youth programs include the athletic fields on Barrington Road. Hanover Park leases the land from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.