In a 6 to 4 vote, members of the Batavia, Illinois’ City Council Committee of the Whole determined to continue the town’s ban on video gambling, which was imposed five years ago. Residents of this Chicago suburb and several members of the Batavia Ministerial Association spoke before the vote.
The issue was brought up after the Batavia Veterans of Foreign Wars Overseas Post 1197 asked aldermen in June to reconsidering the city’s ban on video gambling. A draft ordinance was prepared to remove the ban. But
Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke said he would not sign the ordinance, effectively vetoing it. He said, “I think about the future of downtown Batavia. We already have a tattoo parlor and if we approve video gaming we’ll have machines in the town. I am supportive of the VFW, but the way this is being unleashed from the state and the conversations I am having with other mayors in the region, I cannot support this.”
Dale Richard, past commander of the Batavia VFW, had told aldermen his post had to compete with other veterans’ organizations where video gaming is allowed, such as in unincorporated Kane County. He said, “Morality is not legislated. We don’t expect a lot of revenue from these machines. It’s not like the slot machines in Las Vegas. But it will give people a complete entertainment experience at the lodge.”
Aldermen Garran Sparks agreed with Richard, noting, “This is an issue of your rights. The government can’t keep making rules to keep people’s morals in line. If we ban video gaming, I don’t know why we don’t ban the state lottery in Batavia.”
Opponents of lifting the ban included Keith Hallam, senior pastor of Sanctuary Church in Batavia. He said, “This will impact the moral complexion of our community. I realize we are not talking about establishing a casino in Batavia, but in a small way we are. The availability of video gambling will give people an opportunity to make yet another bad choice.” Hallam acknowledged aldermen are in a difficult position. “You will be dammed if you do lift the ban and dammed if you don’t. What it boils down to is a matter of character,” he said.
The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the full City Council.
