E. Dundee plans advisory vote on video gaming

Board hears resident’s flooding complaints

EAST DUNDEE — Village trustees have overwhelmingly indicated opposition to video gaming in East Dundee, but said they will give voters a chance to express their opinions in an advisory referendum.

The opposition came during a show of support this week for an ordinance that would prohibit commercial video gaming within village limits.

Trustee Michael Ruffulo was the only board member in favor of video gaming.

"I would ask us to have an open mind as we consider this, and whether we would deprive businesses of an opportunity," Ruffulo said prior to the Monday night vote. "I will go on the record and say I would like to see that here."

But Trustees Robert Gorman, Jeff Lynam, John Cichowski, Lael Miller, Paul Van Ostenbridge and Village President Jerald Bartels all favored the prohibition. The issue was tabled to give the village time to hold a public referendum on the issue next year.

A new state law allows up to five video poker machines in each establishment with a liquor license. Local municipalities would collect a portion of the tax revenue from what the machines collect, but they also have the right to outlaw the devices inside their borders.

In other business this week, a third-generation East Dundee resident questioned the village's treatment of his property.

Dennis Schultz said the property at 418 Van Buren St., which is now owned by his son Jason, has flooded on three occasions due to a drainage pipe the village installed on the property in the 1960s. Jason Schultz said he filed a lawsuit a year ago seeking approximately $60,000 in damages from the village, but the case was dismissed last week.

"I think it's pretty lousy the way you treat homeowners," Schultz said, referring to an increase in the village's water bill assessment, as well as the flood damages to the property. "In my personal budget, if I can't make expenses, I've got to cut some corners. I think the village needs to cut some corners, because you can't just keep coming to the people to cover those expenses."

Director of Public Works T.J. Moore said the flooding was a result of natural causes, not negligence in maintenance of the drainage line.

"The crux of this is that there is a spring line that exists on or around his property. There are springs all over town and the lines were created to take spring (water) to the creek," Moore said. "In August 2007, the village had torrential rains. He got water in his basement as a result of that. It's terrible that it happened, and lots of people flooded. We have a lot of sympathy for him, but this wasn't village water. It was either naturally occurring from the springs or came down from the rains."