Video gambling on ballot in Campton Hills?

Illinois' ongoing debate over video gambling might take the form of a referendum in Campton Hills.

Village trustees Tuesday said they were reluctant to take a stance on the issue without first consulting taxpayers, by survey or at the polls - or both.

"We really don't have a clue how our residents feel about this," Village President Patsy Smith said.

It was the first time Campton Hills officials have weighed in on the controversy surrounding the state's newest form of legalized gambling, which recently prompted bans in DuPage County and Rosemont.

If the village does not follow suit, officials said they expect to receive no more than $30,000 a year in new taxes because there are few local businesses where video gambling would be legal.

"It's not a revenue issue," Trustee Jim Kopec said.

Several village board members said they were in favor of having an advisory referendum in the Feb. 2 primary election to gauge residents' general feelings.

Trustee Susan George said more specific issues, such as whether the village should limit gambling hours or regulate the types of "visuals" on gambling machines, might be best addressed in a separate survey.

"What kind of standards would the public want to have?" George said. "A survey would be more detailed."

Village attorney Bill Braithwaite said an advisory referendum would be a way for the village to gather input from voters without being obligated to act one way or the other.

"That would be the most efficient thing to do," Smith said.