Glen Ellyn follows pack; no video gambling

Glen Ellyn became the latest in a long line of communities to ban video gambling after community feedback indicated strong opposition.

Village President Mark Pfefferman said more than 80 percent of e-mails and phone calls the village received on the issue opposed the measure. Also, only one of about 25 restaurants and bars in the village with liquor licenses responded favorably.

"A lot of people felt it didn't go with the family atmosphere in Glen Ellyn and was not a match for our community," Pfefferman said.

The village board passed the ordinance Monday. In it, the board praised the state for being creative in seeking new revenue streams to help pay for capital projects. In July, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law the legalization of video gambling to help pay for a $31 billion capital spending bill.

Since then, dozens of communities, including Naperville, Carol Stream and Wheaton, have passed legislation outlawing it in their towns. Cook, Lake and DuPage counties have also banned them in unincorporated areas.

Although it would have offered a new source of revenue for the town, Pfefferman said the village board chose the village's well-being above any financial considerations.

"The board cares a lot about the quality of life in Glen Ellyn," he said. "The board thought the cost, socially and economically, would outweigh the financial benefit."

The wording of the ordinance left open the possibility that the board would reconsider video gambling in the future if the rules were changed.

But Pfefferman said the changes would have to be significant and even then, legalization would be unlikely.