Village of Plainfield Doubles Down on Anti-Gaming Stance

With the exception of one dissenting trustee, Plainfield village board members stuck by the decision they made last August: Video gambling machines aren’t welcome in Plainfield.

On Monday, trustees gathered to hear from a group of Plainfield business owners who had asked the board to reconsider the issue, citing lost revenue for both businesses and the village.

Vince Athy, owner of Fox’s Restaurant & Pub, acted as spokesperson for the group. Athy said he’s already had success with gaming terminals at a business he owns in Oak Lawn.

Athy said he hasn’t seen any problems resulting from the machines such as underage patrons trying to use them. Countering trustee Margie Bonuchi’s concern that video gambling could cause patrons to feed all their money into the machines rather buying food and drinks, Athy said he’s also seen a 17 percent increase in food and beverage sales since the machines were installed. 

Though trustee Paul Fay said he’s in favor of allowing video gambling machines in Plainfield, his colleagues weren’t willing to budge. 

Trustee Dan Rippy said allowing video gambling in Plainfield isn’t worth the revenue it would generate.

“If you look at what municipalities are bringing in, it’s not a significant amount,” he said. “It’s not worth the Faustian bargain, this deal with the devil.” 

For each terminal, the gaming distributor and the operator (business owner) each get 35 percent of the revenue, while the state gets 25 percent and the municipality receives the remaining 5 percent. A law legalizing video gambling took effect last summer; the bill was passed by Illinois legislators in a bid to fund a $31 billion capital bill.

But municipal officials can choose whether or not to allow the video gambling terminals in their towns. Some, like Plainfield, have chosen to ban it, while others — like Joliet — have allowed it.

According to the Illinois Gaming Board, Joliet saw revenues of $12,714 last month from video gambling terminals. During the same month, Joliet’s 33 businesses with video gambling licenses netted more than $63,000 in revenue for the state.

Plainfield American Legion Marne Post, which is located in unincorporated Plainfield Township, installed five machines in March. According to the gaming board, the post generated $358.68 in revenue for Will County in April; that amount roughly doubled in May to $712.

Mayor Mike Collins cited a letter he received from supporters of video gambling, stating that Plainfield is missing out on $500,000 per year due to its ban on the machines.

“I think the numbers are a little bit skewed,” he said. “… It doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of support for us changing the ordinance.”

While some trustees focused on revenue, others talked about social problems they see arising from allowing video gambling in Plainfield.

“What I dislike most is the financial damage [gambling] has caused,” trustee Jim Racich said. “They say it gives a negative community image and minimal economic gain.” 

To business owners who say customers will go elsewhere if the machines aren’t allowed, “I say, ‘Get a better business model,’” Racich said. 

“I’m hearing a lot of complaints about tax levies and now we want to take more money out of people’s pockets?” Lamb asked. “It’s coming off of somebody’s back and that bothers me."

After speaking to employees at businesses in Joliet where gambling machines have been installed, trustee Garrett Peck said he was even more convinced the machines aren’t a boon for businesses.

“I understand a business owner wanting to generate more revenue,” he said, but added, “I can’t support changing my stance on video poker after all the research I’ve looked at.”

Rippy pointed out that the state gaming law prohibits the machines within 100 feet of a church — which would unfairly exclude some Plainfield businesses, should the village reverse its stance on video gambling.

“Seven or eight restaurants would be at a disadvantage,” he said. “I don’t think it’s good to have two tiers of businesses and restaurants within the village.”

Fay was the lone trustee in favor of revisiting the ordinance passed last summer.

“I think this is something we should explore,” he said. “We already having gaming in Plainfield — it’s called the Illinois Lottery,” Fay added, saying the village also allows Bingo and Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments and other games of chance. 

“I don’t see the correlation to any social demise with bringing gaming to Plainfield,” he said. “I think we should allow it.” 

Illinois Gaming Board data on video gambling revenues is included in the July 8 meeting packet. Click here to view it.