Crystal Lake City Council Says 'No' to Video Gambling Again

Crystal Lake City Council members are not jumping on the bandwagon when it comes to video gambling.

During a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night, council members discussed the possibility of allowing gaming machines per the request of local business owners.

Restaurant and bar owners told the council they are having trouble competing with similar establishments in nearby communities where video gambling is allowed.

Brian Coli, owner of Georgio's Pizza at 75 E. Woodstock St., explained it is difficult for him to compete with Moretti's in Lake in the Hills, for example, where video gambling is permitted. 

"They can use the extra money (generated from video gambling) in other ways," Coli said. "They can pay their employees more. They can pay for renovations. I do hope the (Crystal Lake City) council looks into this and reconsiders."

Paul Leech, owner of The Cottage at 6 E. Crystal Lake Ave., and Nino Hermes, co-owner of Fire Bar and Grill at 435 Angela Ln., also appealed to city leaders, asking they level the playing field with surrounding towns.

Leech said allowing the games would not transform local establishments into Las Vegas-styled casinos. 

Council member Ellen Brady Mueller, the sole person to vote in favor of allowing the games back in May 2012, said she would be open to allowing the games. 

"We're truly sacrificing our businesses here," Mueller said. 

Councilmen Brett Hopkins and Cameron Hubbard appeared open to revisiting the issue, however, neither could say whether they would vote in favor of such a measure.

Ralph Dawson and Jeffrey Thorsen adamantly opposed permitting the machines.

"My position is firm. I'm not for it," Thorsen said. "...I don't want to be a mule to garner more money for the state."

Mayor Aaron Shepley said, while it was difficult to deny the business owners' request, allowing video gaming within the city of Crystal Lake would not be a benefit for the community as whole.

"I do believe we have our finger on the pulse of the community," Shepley said. "I do believe (video gambling) would affect the character of our community in a negative way. That's why I voted against it the last time."

No vote was taken on the issue, as the gambling agenda item was listed as  "discussion only." Without enough support from the council, the issue hit a dead-end.

A list of municipalities allowing video gambling can be found on the State of Illinois Video Gaming Board website.