East Dundee trustees say no to video gambling

East Dundee has joined a growing list of municipalities that have folded on video gambling. Trustees voted 6-1 on Monday to prohibit video gambling machines that the state intends to use as a revenue source to fund multibillion-dollar capital improvement projects.

But the ultimate decision may still lie with residents. Although the village board voted in favor of prohibiting the machines, trustees said they would gauge public opinion through an advisory referendum at the February election.

"This may be a source of revenue, but it is not a source of revenue that I, myself, would be proud of taking in," said Village President Jerald Bartels, who voted in favor of prohibiting the machines. "But that being said, there are financial challenges in front of us ... so it is important that we hear from residents through a referendum and let them have a say in it."

Bartels said if residents overwhelmingly support video gambling, then the village board could amend the ordinance to make room for the machines.

Trustee Michael Ruffulo gave a number of reasons for his vote in favor of allowing video gambling. Ruffulo said the board and residents should consider allowing the machines as they could amount to thousands of dollars in revenue for the village.

"We are getting some revenue out of this; all we talk about is 'we can't afford this or can't afford that,'" Ruffulo said. "We are also depriving businesses from revenues. This could be very lucrative for them."

State lawmakers approved the use of video gambling machines beyond casinos as a way to fund the state's $31 billion capital improvement plan.

Municipalities and counties that control unincorporated areas may ban the machines at a local level, either by ordinance or ballot measure. Should the village board opt to prohibit the machines, the community would forgo a 5-percent take in revenues.

It is estimated each establishment that chose to install machines could generate about $11,000 a year for the host municipality based on state estimates. East Dundee has at least six eligible businesses.

The list of local communities that have banned video gambling machines includes: Bloomingdale, Buffalo Grove, Elburn, Elmhurst, Kildeer, Libertyville, Mettawa, Naperville, Rosemont, Villa Park and Wheaton. Suburbs including Batavia, Wheeling, Roselle West Chicago, Winfield and Warrenville have debated the issue. DuPage, Lake and Cook counties have banned the machines in unincorporated areas, while McHenry County officials continue to mull the issue. A Kane County task force recently recommended allowing the machines.