St. Charles on verge of legalizing video gambling

By the end of the debate on legalizing video gambling in St. Charles Monday night, it was clear aldermen would make new enemies out of at least one major group of their constituents no matter what they decided.

With dueling petitions, vitriol business owners and fraternal organizations lined up to plead for the legalization of a new revenue source for their establishments. And, in similar numbers, city residents lined up to denounce video gambling as a crushing blow to the status on municipal banners across the city proclaiming it as the No. 1 city for families.

The arguments from the audience, on both sides, were familiar. The real tension in the room was from how aldermen would weigh in after having several weeks to contemplate the wishes of those dueling consitutents and the long-term impacts of their decision. Aldermen, in a preliminary vote, supported lifting the city's ban on video gambling. Sitting as a committee, they voted 5 to 4 in favor of lifting the ban. Aldermen Art Lemke, Bill Turner, Todd Bancroft and Ed Bessner cast "yes" votes. Aldermen Ron Silkaitis, Rita Payleitner, Steve Gaugel and Maureen Lewis voted "no." That created a tie, requiring committee Chairman Dan Stellato to vote. He voted "yes." Alderman Jo Krieger was absent, but she sent a written statement indicating she will vote "no" at the final vote next week.

That means aldermen will be split 5 to 5, requiring Mayor Ray Rogina to cast a rare tiebreaking vote. Rogina, who asked the council to renew the debate a couple months ago, has said he will support lifting the video gambling ban.

When that happens, city staff would activate a plan that would legalize video gambling for a trial period of three years.

After three years, on April 30, 2018, aldermen would have the option of activating a sunset clause that could once again make video gambling illegal if revenues don't materialize as expected or the worst fears of the citizens in opposition are realized. The sunset would be automatic unless aldermen specifically act to keep video gambling alive. There is also a clause that would allow aldermen to restrict or outright ban any signage advertising video gambling in the city.