Money tells story in Fox Lake area
Almost every Illinois political subdivision allowing poker machines has or is in the process of outlawing them because of unidentified "associated problems." Almost all the rest have turned "thumbs down."
The village of Fox Lake is soliciting citizens' opinions to support licensing them. This is like the slowest-moving salmon struggling up the revenue deficit stream after the others have already spawned ... bear food!
The "bear" in this case is corruption for the leadership and sorrow for the hard luck players.
Video poker is a racket, not a game of chance or "entertainment." The payoff odds are electronically programmed and the licensed owners aren't too charitable.
Political leadership is by turns peevish, brilliant, self-serving and confused. In the 10 years I've lived nearby, I don't recall a single mayor serving more than one term in that office, and a game of musical chairs is always in play to pick the successors.
Fox Lake's long-term lack of political leadership is well known to many real estate agents. Businesses are quick to close and slow to open; consider the elusive "soon to open" lakefront hotel/spa that had several false starts over the years and is still a lost dream. Payoffs for permits and favors are alleged but never proven.
When it comes to "public safety," police and fire services are excellent, along with water and sewage treatment. Commuter service to Chicago is also great. The mismanagement of the waterway is marked by lost dredging opportunities, severely damaged water lily beds, pollution, flood, damaging shoreline erosion, rich water craft fees, etc.
The community is like Sleepy Hollow, but as yet, they haven't awakened to the current century.
Grade school performance is better than the high school. There are very few ladders to access trade apprenticeships, the arts, "shops" and growing special needs due to autism and other developmental disorders. But we do have a very nice NEW field house for which everyone can be very proud!
Always follow the money and you will understand why things are as they are.
Thaddeus Kochanny
Ingleside