Buffalo Grove OTB issue could be decided tonight
The issue of off-track betting in Buffalo Grove could cross the finish line as early as tonight.
At the Monday board meeting, the village board will consider a proposal for an OTB at Adam's Rib and Ale House, 301 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Village President Elliott Hartstein said Sunday that a vote could be taken that night. At Monday's meeting, Inter-Track Partners, LLC is expected to present a plan that initially generated no controversy, not even after the plan commission approved it 6-2 on April 15.
But that was before the recent village board election, which saw the emergence of two new board members, Lisa Stone and Beverly Sussman, who staunchly oppose the concept. At their very first meeting, Stone and Sussman were the lone nay votes as the board approved off-track betting as a special use.
The publicity surrounding that first meeting attracted an overflow crowd, much of it from the area - recently annexed into the village - surrounding Adam's Rib and Ale House.
In order to receive a permit from the village, the proposal must meet 26 conditions, including receiving a license from the Illinois Racing Board. Admission to the inter-track wagering location would be to customers ages 21 or older, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In addition, Inter-Track Partners would provide a report to the village's police chief containing a background check for anyone involved in managing the operation. They would also submit a security plan to the chief.
"I'm confident that the board is going to weigh all that they have heard and ultimately will do what they think is in the best interest of the community," Hartstein said.
He said it's a challenging issue, since the board is trying to balance fiscal responsibility with responsiveness to the community. The village stands to receive between $70,000 and $150,000 in annual revenue from the OTB.
Hartstein said e-mails received by the village have tipped significantly against off-track betting. This is not a surprise, he said, because, as with many issues such as development, "It's usually the people who don't think you should do it who come out in greater numbers."
Hartstein said he has personally gone out into the community to gauge opinion on the subject. On Saturday, he toured health clubs, beauty parlors, grocery stores, restaurants and ball fields, talking to more than 70 people during a two-hour period. He said 36 people were in favor, 26 opposed and 12 did not feel strongly.
Stone said she hopes to hear a vote on Monday.
"I hope to hear a vote of no," she said, adding that popular opinion in the community, as indicated by recent e-mails and residents who attended her first meeting as a trustee, should dictate a no vote. "It is so overwhelmingly against the OTB, that if the vote were not 'no' tomorrow, then I would like to know why not. If the people in government are representing the people in their community, then that should translate into a no vote."
In discussing her opposition to the OTB, Stone said, "I have no moral judgment of gambling. I have already been to the racetrack twice."
But she opposes gambling moving into residential neighborhoods. Stone said she is taking steps to look for other sources of revenue. She said she asked to meet with the owner of the Town Center property, and a meeting is expected on June 8.
She said she understands that she, Hartstein, Village Manager William Brimm and Deputy Village Manager Ghida Neukirch will discuss bringing an anchor to the Town Center.
"I am going after the revenue in a way that will benefit our community, not destroy it, as in the OTB," she said.