Kane Co. takes step toward video gaming

GENEVA -- Kane County hasn't cashed out on video poker just yet.

On Thursday, members of the Video Gaming Task Force voted 2-1 to recommend to the County Board that bars and other liquor establishments in unincorporated parts of the county be allowed to install video gambling machines.

The move upholds a state law passed earlier this year meant to generate revenue to help pay for $31 billion in capital projects. In the legislation, municipalities were given the option to place local bans.

The lone dissenting vote came from board member Drew Frasz, R-Elburn, who said that all of the residents in his district who he talked to indicated they were opposed to allowing gaming.

"My concern is that gambling doesn't really make money ... it redistributes money," Frasz said.

Task force chairman Jesse Vazquez, D-Montgomery, said he supported the measure and feared that a ban at the county level would drive business to areas that are participating in the gaming. He was particularly concerned about liquor establishments in his district not being able to cash in.

"Why would we not want to tax this?" Vazquez said.

The state measure allows up to five video poker machines in establishments with a liquor license. Local municipalities also would collect a portion of the tax revenue from what the machines collect.

"I know there has been several other counties that have banned this and the list is growing," Frasz said.

Cook, DuPage and Lake counties have banned it. In Kane County, the village of Elburn instituted its own ban.

Though he voted in favor, member Robert Kudlicki, R-Hampshire, said it was unfortunate that the state resorts to gambling to generate revenue.

Frasz said he still has concerns about how the Illinois Gaming Board would monitor and enforce establishments with the machines.

The recommendation could come up at the county's Executive Committee in November and then before the full County Board as soon as December.