DuPage County Board member pushes to ban video poker

A push from a county board member could lead to a ban on video poker in unincorporated portions of DuPage and - if he gets his way - the region as a whole.

The state recently approved a plan that allows 45,000 poker machines to be placed in taverns and restaurants across Illinois to help offset a budget shortfall.

But Brien Sheahan, an Elmhurst Republican, said Tuesday he will ask fellow county board members to prohibit such gambling in areas under their jurisdiction.

"Video poker is often described as the crack cocaine of gambling," Sheahan said. "The social costs of a dramatic increase in gambling will also become more apparent."

The video gaming act allows each municipality and county to make its own decision to prohibit video poker. Several Cook County Board commissioners have spoken out against the idea and it has given pause to suburban mayors.

Sheahan wants to take his efforts countywide, calling on mayors to bring similar legislation forward in their towns. He believes most towns will opt to deny the gaming machines.

"We pride ourselves in DuPage County for being family friendly," he said. "I don't think having a little casino on every street corner is consistent with those values."

Sheahan said the gambling would put more pressure on law enforcement and social services.

"People who are susceptible to gambling as a habit, it's just going to make it much more difficult for them," he said.

Although municipalities would receive a share of revenues brought in by video gambling, Sheahan said the benefits aren't enough to outweigh his concerns.

"Every bartender and server is going to be a bank, essentially, and I think there are a lot of opportunities for mischief," he said. "There certainly would be some revenue that would be (lost), but I think it's a small price to pay."

Sheahan will bring his proposal to the county board on July 28 and hopes it will be referred to the finance committee for review.