As Oak Lawn’s officials debate the merits of allowing video gambling in local bars and restaurants, the most important component of the debate – the amount of possible new revenue the village would get from legalized betting on the machines – is up for dispute.
According to Back to Work Illinois, a civic and labor group backing the state’s massive capital improvement plan, Oak Lawn would be in line to receive about $540,000 in tax revenue from the machines.
That estimate assumes each business that holds one of the 48 liquor licenses issued in Oak Lawn would install the maximum five gaming machines as allowed by the state.
But Oak Lawn officials did their own homework and came up with a list showing less than half of the establishments cited by Back to Work Illinois’ estimates – about 20 – would even be eligible for video gaming machines.
Using figures from an outside study cited in an Illinois Municipal League report, village officials estimate an annual intake of about $225,000 in tax revenue.
The state Legislature last year legalized gambling terminals in taverns, restaurants and clubs, but allowed communities to prohibit the machines.
The state expected to reap some $287 million if 45,000 new video gaming machines were installed, but has not yet implemented a plan to regulate them.
The proceeds would fund a $31 billion capital improvement program that includes roadwork and construction projects throughout the state.
Oak Lawn officials have outlined several projects that would get funding from video gaming revenues.
But what remains unclear – in Oak Lawn and around the state – is whether Illinois would withhold funding to communities that ban video gaming.
A recent bill would require towns and counties that bar video poker to make up revenue themselves that would have been generated by the machines.
If they don’t repay the state, then Illinois would deduct funds for other projects in their areas.
So far, Oak Lawn hasn’t banned the machines outright.
Now the question getting tossed around village hall amounts to this: How bad does Oak Lawn need the money?
It’s hard to say.
Oak Lawn’s officials have had little public discussion about it.
They’ve said they’d like to learn the basics before any discussions can get underway.
A little more light could be shed on the issue during a special public meeting scheduled for Monday at village hall.
One top voice in the village is cautiously pessimistic.
“My personal belief is that it’s not the way you should try to get revenue … I’m just not a big fan of it,” Mayor Dave Heilmann said. “But it’s incumbent upon me to make sure all the facts are out there.”
HAVE YOUR SAY
Oak Lawn officials will gather next week to discuss the merits of allowing video gaming in some local establishments.
The meeting is geared toward local business owners but is open to the public.
The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday at village hall, 9446 S. Raymond Ave. Residents are encouraged to stick around for a roundtable discussion among the village board scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services