Itasca joins town bans on video gambling

Itasca joined the growing number of suburbs banning video gambling, but leaving room to revisit the issue later.

On Tuesday the village board of trustees unanimously passed an ordinance that bans video gambling in Itasca until officials decide to take further action on the issue. This is similar to ordinances passed last month in nearby villages like Bloomingdale and Addison.

In addition to voicing concerns that the Illinois Gaming Board has not established rules dictating how video gambling will operate and be regulated - which could take up to a year - officials said they are worried about a measure moved by state lawmakers last Friday.

The measure was ultimately pulled off the table due to lack of support, but it would have protected bars, liquor-serving restaurants, truck stops and fraternal clubs if they purchase 'video poker' machines but later face a local ban. Under the legislation, which can be moved again next year, those slot machine operators would be grandfathered for two years if local officials voted to have them leave town.

Itasca Village Attorney Chuck Hervas said the wording of Itasca's ordinance ensures this could not happen in Itasca.

"The best way is that the ban is in effect until we address the matter again," Hervas said. "We don't know what the legislature is going to do or what rules the gaming board will put in place, but if we wrote (the ordinance) differently, there might be some wiggle room if someone were to get a license before the village takes action again."

It was because of these concerns that officials passed the ban before gathering survey feedback from local residents and businesses, Village President Jeff Pruyn said Tuesday.

In Illinois, video gambling is allowed under a massive capital improvement package approved in July by Gov. Pat Quinn.

The machines are expected to bring in $367 million annually to help pay for infrastructure projects.

Video gambling could bring Itasca approximately $150,000 in state-mandated revenue taken from the machines' profits. Thirteen locations holding liquor licenses in the village, including restaurants, bars and the Itasca Country Club, would have been eligible to install up to five machines each.