Barrington resumes talks tonight on video gambling

Barrington leaders are expected to hear more public input and resume discussions tonight on whether to reverse the village board’s nearly four-year-old ban on video gambling in the community.

Village trustees have been rethinking the ban since August, when local businesses, including McGonigal’s Pub and The Blue Heron Cafe & Lounge, appeared before the board saying the ban was causing them to lose business to competitors in towns that allow video gambling.

Nearly all 19 businesses in town that hold a liquor license signed a petition endorsing a change, McGonigal’s owner Bryan McGonigal told officials earlier this month.

Neighboring Fox River Grove, East Dundee, Hoffman Estates and unincorporated Lake County allow eligible restaurants, bars and other businesses to house as many as five video gambling terminals each.

Illinois collects a 30 percent tax on the revenue from each device. One sixth of that is paid back to the municipality, with the rest going to the state’s capital projects fund.

Barrington trustees have targeted their Oct. 14 meeting to take a vote on overturning the ban.

The village board meets at 8 p.m. at village hall, 200 S. Hough St. Prior to the board meeting, trustees meet as a committee of the whole, beginning at 6 p.m.