Peoria Journal Star

May 27, 2010

Editorial

 

This afternoon, members of a Peoria County Board committee will take the first step in deciding whether to ban video gambling machines in bars in unincorporated parts of the county. Such a move would have little benefit.

The $31 billion, multi-year capital construction plan passed by the Legislature last spring to build roads, bridges, schools, etc., is partially funded by the legalization of wagering on the machines, with the state taking a cut of the earnings in taxes. The devices have been used in taverns, restaurants, veterans organizations and social clubs around Illinois, but officially had been restricted to a "for amusement only" basis. Surprise, surprise, lots of joints flouted the law and paid out winnings under the table, secure in the knowledge that law enforcement had neither the manpower nor inclination to launch a crackdown.

Peoria Journal Star

May 27, 2010

By John Sharp

 

Finance committee recommends County Board vote on regulation in unincorporated Peoria County.

 

PEORIA - Video gaming in taverns and other facilities in unincorporated Peoria County should be regulated and slightly more than $100,000 should go to enforce it, a Peoria County committee ruled Thursday.

By a 4-3 vote, the county's finance committee recommended the full County Board vote June 10 to support the regulation of video gaming within the county and to appropriate 25 percent of an estimated $405,000 in new video gaming revenues to the State's Attorney's Office.

 

 

Aurora Beacon-News

May 25, 2010

Rowena Vergara

 

OSWEGO -- The village could be one step closer to allowing video poker machines in certain restaurants and bars.

The Village Board Legislative, Policy and Human Resources Committee recently discussed the logistics of a possible video gaming ordinance.

 

The committee is in favor of allowing video gaming, but the Village Board has not made a move yet, according to Committee Chairman David Schlaker.

 

Aurora Beacon-News

May 12, 2010

Nick Swedberg, Sun-Times Media

 

GENEVA — Kane County Board members who either weren't present during a December vote to ban video gambling or simply switched their previous vote helped push through a repeal to that ban Tuesday.

By a 17-7 margin, the board voted to strike down a ban on video gambling machines in unincorporated parts of the county. Two board members voted "present," and board Chairman Karen McConnaughay did not attend the meeting.

 

 

For Immediate Release:
CONTACT: BRAD HAHN 630/606-1394

County Board members vote to support Illinois Capital Bill

GENEVA – The Kane County Board voted to lift an existing ban on the newly-authorized state of Illinois video gaming system Tuesday morning, demonstrating support for full funding of the $31 billion Illinois Capital Bill, its investment in transit, roads, bridges and schools – and the more than 400,000 jobs it is expected to create.

“It is imperative that we support the capital bill and get people back to work in Kane County,” said County Board member and Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Wyatt. “Once the Board fully considered what is at stake for our communities and residents, and understood the tight regulation involved in implementing the state video gaming system, the answer was clear.”

Chicago Tribune

May 11, 2010

Clifford Ward

 

Kane County board members today repealed a ban they imposed late last year on video gambling machines in unincorporated areas of the county.

The board voted 17-7 to allow the video gambling machines as part of a revenue source for a statewide capital improvement program. As part of the $31 billion program, state lawmakers approved video gambling in Illinois in certain locations, but gave local governments the right to opt out of the plan and prohibit the machines.

Daily Herald

May 11, 2010

James Fuller, Daily Herald Staff

 

Kane County became the first legislative body in Illinois to repeal its ban on video gambling Tuesday in a vote that wasn't that close.

The change gives the green light to businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county to install video gambling machines as soon as the state begins issuing video gambling licenses, assuming all the necessary paperwork is in place with the county.

Chicago Breaking News Center

May 10, 2010

 

Kane County officials Tuesday are expected to reconsider a close decision made last year to ban video gambling from the county's unincorporated areas.

The County Board in December voted 12-11 to opt out of a controversial state program to legalize video gambling as a way to help fund $31 billion in capital improvements.

Daily Herald

May 6, 2010

James Fuller, Daily Herald Staff

 

 Kane County's ban on video gambling may have a short history as a new, slim majority of board members appear ready to reverse the 5-month-old law.

Talk of repealing the ban began almost immediately after it passed by one vote in December.