Council moves on video gaming plan
By Mike Danahey mdanahey@stmedianetwork.com March 7, 2013 10:38AM
Video gambling is legal in Franklin Park, but so far only two establishments have applied to open in the village. | File photo
Updated: April 9, 2013 11:31AM
ELGIN — As anticipated, the city council Wednesday night unanimously moved along rules that would allow the city to partake in the state’s Video Gaming Act.
Mike Flannagan, who heads a committee of locals that lobbied the council to opt into the program, issued a statement thanking the city council for doing so.
Last summer, by consensus, council members decided they did not want to take part in the program. Since then, however, members of the local committee met with the council members and persuaded them to change their minds, citing that the gaming might help establishments continue to operate in the still-sluggish economy.
In that same time frame, most of the towns surrounding Elgin as well as unincorporated areas also have decided to allow video gaming.
While Councilman John Prigge said he is convinced this is one of the best moves the council has made, Mayor David Kaptain was reluctantly supportive, noting the uncertainty of gaming expansion in Illinois and the impact on the Grand Victoria Casino and on the community.
