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Video gambling isn't a popular option with most St. Charles aldermen.
Aldermen voted to draft an ordinance to ban video gambling in the city of St. Charles at Tuesday night's government operation meeting by a vote of 7-2. Third Ward Aldermen John McGuirk and William Turner voted to wait and see what rules and regulations the Illinois Gaming Board would create, but the rest of the board members wanted to opt out now.
"I'll make no bones about it," said Fourth Ward Alderman Jim Martin, "My position is that I'm totally opposed to video gambling of any sort. ... I would very highly recommend that we ban it."
Second Ward Alderman Betsy Penny said that there is no question revenue is needed for the city, but she believes the city can do better.
“We’re reasonably fiscally responsible,” Penny said. “I don’t think we have to resort to (this) type of thing that’s not healthy for our community.”
McGuirk said it may be wise to wait and see what kind of rules go into effect before they shut video gambling out of St. Charles.
“There may be an opportunity here, a way to structure it, so that it applies only to certain areas that would generate income,” McGuirk said. “I just wouldn’t want to walk away from it and just ban it as is.”
McGuirk said there is already a lot of gambling activity in the area, thus legalizing it would put the city “ahead of the game.”
Kane County Board Member Hollie Lindgren, D-24th District, of Carpentersville said they discussed bringing back a vote on video gambling at Tuesday’s legislative committee meeting, but it was met with a majority wanting to see what the state does.
Lindgren said she has heard rumors that they are now in talks of not letting counties and municipalities in on the capital bill if they opt out. She said she hopes if that were to be the case, Kane County would opt back in.
“I told (everyone) today ‘Just take a step back and watch and see what (the state) comes up with’,” Lindgren said.
Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said there has been no request from community or business members in Geneva to discuss the issue, but he said many aldermen he talked to do not support it.
“Deciding on the momentum from a local level will determine when we (have a) discussion on banning it,” Burns said.
State lawmakers legalized video gambling this summer to help fund a $31 billion capital improvement plan, but gave local officials the final say on whether they want gambling in their municipality or county. DuPage and Cook counties soon after banned video gambling.
In late October, the Kane County Board's Video Gaming Task Force recommended not banning video gambling machines in a 2-1 vote. In November, Batavia voted to ban it 10-4.
St. Charles will still need to draft and vote on an ordinance banning video gambling at a future city council meeting.
Video gambling isn't a popular option with most St. Charles aldermen.
Aldermen voted to draft an ordinance to ban video gambling in the city of St. Charles at Tuesday night's government operation meeting by a vote of 7-2. Third Ward Aldermen John McGuirk and William Turner voted to wait and see what rules and regulations the Illinois Gaming Board would create, but the rest of the board members wanted to opt out now.
"I'll make no bones about it," said Fourth Ward Alderman Jim Martin, "My position is that I'm totally opposed to video gambling of any sort. ... I would very highly recommend that we ban it."
Second Ward Alderman Betsy Penny said that there is no question revenue is needed for the city, but she believes the city can do better.
“We’re reasonably fiscally responsible,” Penny said. “I don’t think we have to resort to (this) type of thing that’s not healthy for our community.”
McGuirk said it may be wise to wait and see what kind of rules go into effect before they shut video gambling out of St. Charles.
“There may be an opportunity here, a way to structure it, so that it applies only to certain areas that would generate income,” McGuirk said. “I just wouldn’t want to walk away from it and just ban it as is.”
McGuirk said there is already a lot of gambling activity in the area, thus legalizing it would put the city “ahead of the game.”
Kane County Board Member Hollie Lindgren, D-24th District, of Carpentersville said they discussed bringing back a vote on video gambling at Tuesday’s legislative committee meeting, but it was met with a majority wanting to see what the state does.
Lindgren said she has heard rumors that they are now in talks of not letting counties and municipalities in on the capital bill if they opt out. She said she hopes if that were to be the case, Kane County would opt back in.
“I told (everyone) today ‘Just take a step back and watch and see what (the state) comes up with’,” Lindgren said.
Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said there has been no request from community or business members in Geneva to discuss the issue, but he said many aldermen he talked to do not support it.
“Deciding on the momentum from a local level will determine when we (have a) discussion on banning it,” Burns said.
State lawmakers legalized video gambling this summer to help fund a $31 billion capital improvement plan, but gave local officials the final say on whether they want gambling in their municipality or county. DuPage and Cook counties soon after banned video gambling.
In late October, the Kane County Board's Video Gaming Task Force recommended not banning video gambling machines in a 2-1 vote. In November, Batavia voted to ban it 10-4.
St. Charles will still need to draft and vote on an ordinance banning video gambling at a future city council meeting.
