Pingree Grove board delays action on gambling resolution

Pingree Grove Village President Wyman "Clint" Carey was hoping to pre-empt pending legislation that if approved, would force the town to pay a fee on video gambling, even if village officials opt out of running the enterprise in their town.

But the board wasn't ready to do that Tuesday evening.

Trustees took no action on Carey's proposal to pass a resolution that would formally let state lawmakers know that they oppose the pending legislation.

At least two trustees - Ricky Popilek and Stephanie Mette - said they needed more time to study the issue.

"Honestly, I need to do more research on it and I'm not comfortable at this time making a decision," Mette said, adding that trustees received documents outlining the proposal on Friday.

A pair of proposed bills would allow the Illinois Gaming Board to impose a monthly surcharge on municipalities and counties who decide they'd rather not be a part of video gambling.

The bills indicate that the state is trying to recoup the money it would have gotten, had the towns or counties approved video gambling.

Pingree Grove officials briefly discussed the issue in August, but have not decided whether to hold video gambling in the village.

"Bills like this ... force us to make a decision in a certain way," said Carey, who is against video gambling. "If we oppose gaming, then it comes out of the taxpayers' money."

Carey hopes to revisit the issue next month and in the meantime, he said there's nothing stopping him from making his feelings known to local lawmakers - state Sen. Chris Lauzen and state Rep Tim Schmitz.

"As a resident of the state of Illinois, let alone a village president, it's something that I believe in as a citizen," Carey said.