Dear Friends,

Elected officials in the City of Rockford are planning to vote on an ordinance to ban video gambling machines within city limits. The proposal goes to the full Rockford City Council on January 11th, with a vote expected on January 18th at 6 p.m. at Rockford City Hall (425 East State Street).

There are 5 Aldermen whose positions are unknown. Please contact Rockford Mayor Larry J. Morrissey and your Alderman before Monday and try to attend the meeting. Bring your neighbors. Your presence will make a huge impact on the vote.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email to Mayor Morrissey and the five Aldermen (listed below) to encourage them to vote in favor of the video gambling ban.

Click HERE for additional information on the harms of gambling.

Rockford Aldermen:

Joe Sosnowski (R) – Ward 1

Patrick Curran (R) – Ward 2

Karen Elyea (D) – Ward 11

John Beck (R) – Ward 12

Bill Robertson (I) – Ward 14

Background

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 50 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.