Story posted Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Video Gaming 'Punishment' Viewed As Unreasonable
Local Legislator Thinks Bills Will Stall
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
Glenview village officials and state legislators representing Glenview in Springfield are outraged by bills introduced in the State Senate last month that, if passed, would financially penalize communities that choose to ban video gaming.
Glenview trustees were some of the first to ban video gaming machines shortly after the Video Gaming Act (VGA) became law last year.
Two bills both introduced by State Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-36th Moline) would charge a monthly fee to communities and counties that ban video gambling and would restrict state funds earned from machines from being used to fund Illinois infrastructure projects in areas where video gaming is barred.
"Such legislation would, in effect, 'punish' jurisdictions for making a choice that the General Assembly itself authorized them to make," wrote Glenview Village President Kerry Cummings in a letter to state senators Susan Garrett (D-29th) and Jeff Schoenberg (D-9th) and state representatives Elizabeth Coulson (R-17th) and Elaine Nekritz (D-57th).
Cummings letter continued, "To take such a punitive approach now is all the more disturbing as it directly contravenes the manner in which the original Video Gaming Act was presented to the public – and to municipalities. In fact, Governor Quinn used the 'opt out' provision as one of the legislation's major selling points.
"To penalize municipalities and counties for making a choice on behalf of their constituents who are already contributing significantly toward the capital (bill funding) is to place an unreasonable burden on the Village of Glenview and on any community," concluded Cummings.
"If there were legislators who felt that we needed that stick for the legislation they should have put it in there," said Nekritz. "For legislators to allow municipalities to opt out and then change our minds is outrageous."
"That's way too punitive," said Garrett. "I don't see them (the bills) going anywhere."
A spokeswoman for State Senate President John Cullerton said he does not support the bills meaning the powerful senate leader might block the bills from coming up for a vote.
Last year the VGA was passed allowing video gaming machines that would pay out cash winnings in bars, truck stops, fraternal halls and other liquor serving establishments across the state.
Included in the new law was a provision to allow municipalities or counties to opt out or bar legalized video gambling in their jurisdictions through a referendum vote of the people or a vote of village trustees, aldermen or county board commissioners.
In Des Plaines, the bills caused Mayor Marty Moylan to put a hold on hearings and consideration by aldermen on whether to ban video gaming.
The VGA was passed last year to fund infrastructure projects across the state outlined in the Illinois Capital Bill.
Since then 64 communities including Arlington Hts., Buffalo Grove, Glenview, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Rosemont, Park Ridge, Wilmette and Winnetka have voted to ban video gaming. Bans were also passed for unincorporated areas of five counties including Cook.
Calls to Sen. Jacobs' office were not immediately returned.
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