Trustees of the village of Island Lake, Illinois, a small Chicago suburb, recently passed a one-year moratorium on issuing new operating licenses for video gambling machine parlors. The moratorium will extend through May 2018.
The trustees approved the games in May 2014 to help financially struggling local businesses. Licenses were issued for two establishments, then an additional three.
Island Lake Mayor Charles Amrich said, “We don’t want any more gaming machines in town. Enough is enough. We feel that’s enough to have in the community. You don’t want every store to have one.”
Last September, in an attempt to limit video gambling machines, village officials approved a one-year ban on issuing liquor licenses to businesses that sold food but did not have full kitchens. Some businesses offered the games plus snacks and beverages only. Soon gas stations started lobbying to offer the video gambling machines according to a provision in the law allowing them at truck stops.
Island Lake Trustees Debra Jenkins and Jennifer Villarreal voted against the moratorium. Jenkins said, “Although the village only sees a small portion of the proceeds, gaming machines produce revenues we desperately need. If a new bar were to open in town, it is my opinion that they should be afforded the same opportunity as our existing businesses.”
