Elected officials in the Village of Antioch are planning to vote on an ordinance to ban video gambling machines within city limits. The proposal goes to the full Antioch Village Board tonight — August 6th  at 7:30 p.m.

Please contact Antioch Mayor Lawrence Hanson and the Village Trustees, and try to attend the meeting. Bring your neighbors. Your presence will make a huge impact on the vote.

Take ACTION: Call Mayor Hanson to encourage him to vote in favor of the video gambling ban: (847) 395-1000 or email him at lhanson@antioch.il.gov.  Then contact the Village Trustees listed below.

Village Trustees:

Dennis B. Crosby — dcrosby@antioch.il.gov

Mary C. Dominiak — mdominiak@antioch.il.gov 

Jay Jozwiak — jjozwiak@antioch.il.gov 

Scott A. Pierce — spierce@antioch.il.gov

Ted P. Poulos — tpoulos@antioch.il.gov 

George C. Sakas — gsakas@antioch.il.gov 

Background

In 2009, the Illinois General Assembly passed and Governor Quinn signed into law, a bill allowing liquor-serving establishments to have up to 5 video gambling machines. The law allows for cities and counties to pass ordinances banning these. Over 60 communities and counties have already passed bans, thereby preventing local family restaurants from turning into mini casinos. Video gambling is rightly called the “crack cocaine” of gambling. There’s no skill required and studies have found that it takes approximately one year to become severely addicted, versus 4 years of other forms of gambling. 

The State of Illinois has a serious revenue shortfall which they think they can fix by expanding gambling, but in order for the State to profit, it needs to create thousands of losers. Is this good public policy? Hardly! With the potential of an increase in gambling addictions which lead to bankruptcy, divorce and even suicide, state lawmakers and the Governor have done Illinois residents a great disservice.

Click HERE for additional information on the harms of gambling.