Lack of gambling money means fewer projects in Elgin

About $2.1 million worth of projects on Elgin's "to do" list did not move forward this year due to the state's withholding of gambling revenues, officials said.

The largest is about $400,000 worth of work to the Hemmens Cultural Center, including starting the design phase of major building improvements recommended by a task force in July, said Aaron Cosentino, city senior management analyst.

The aging performance facility does not meet modern needs because it lacks an HD projector, plus it lacks basic needs: Backstage lighting is failing, and the dance floor needs to be replaced, Cosentino said.

Hemmens Director Butch Wilhelmi said all that would help the facility remain competitive.

"It is frustrating," he said. "We have a reputation for being able to provide a good product and having a well-maintained facility, but we have pieces of equipment constantly failing."

The state owes the city $3.4 million in gambling taxes and admission fees from Grand Victoria Casino for July through October; the figure will reach $5 million by Dec. 31, Chief Financial Officer Debra Nawrocki said.

The list of projects on hold includes $214,000 in multifamily conversion grants, $316,850 for replacement of trees on public property, $150,000 in property improvement grants, and $150,000 for new police vehicles to be funded by video gambling proceeds, Cosentino said.

Also halted is a project, first discussed nearly three years ago, to add $300,000 of security measures at city hall and $200,000 worth of roof work for buildings on the former Fox River Country Day School property on Dundee Avenue.

The city had planned to start the $80,000 design phase of a proposed expansion and addition of a second entrance to the Sports Complex, but that's in limbo as well. That follows this summer's acquisition of the adjacent former Larkin Center's Rakow Campus.

Some projects halted this year, such as city entryway signage estimated at $133,000 plus elevator upgrades in city-owned buildings, are part of the 2016 budget proposed by city staff members.

However, the city council is in the midst of budget discussions and might modify the proposed list of priorities.