Elected officials in the Village of Monee are planning to vote on an ordinance to ban video gambling machines within city limits. The proposal goes to the full Monee Village Board tonight — June 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Please contact Monee Mayor Daniel Tovo 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 Tovo to encourage him to vote in favor of the video gambling ban: (708) 534-8301.  Then contact the Village Trustees listed below.

Village Trustees:

Jay Farquhar – (708) 534-3885 or Jay@Tech-Services.us

Bill Gray – (708) 307-1962 or GrayB@MillerLaundry.com

Doug Horne – (708) 828-4967 or DougVHorne@Comcast.net

Denise Kranzer – (708) 935-3401 or DLK0417@sbcglobal.net

James Popp – (708) 218-4119 or PoppsPlace@comcast.net

Dave Stockton – (708) 932-0915 or DStockton@UnitedCenter.com

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.