This is the fourth in a serialization of my father’s biography. Previous parts can be found below on McHenry County Blog. One of Dad’s inspirations for running for office involved an unresponsive city government. Plunk, plunk, plunk. I can hear … Continue reading
Category Archives: Slot Machines
School supporters promote every tax hike with the cry of “It’s for the kids.” Supporters of government-authorized have the mantra: “It’s entertainment.” Maybe, but the money put into video poker machines isn’t being spent in local stores. It isn’t buying … Continue reading
Found this paragraph in a Sunday piece by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown: In the five years since video gambling in bars and restaurants was legalized in Illinois, the industry has exploded with 27,649 machines at 6,266 locations–the equivalent of … Continue reading
Long-time readers will remember my surprise at seeing casinos at virtually every gas station and even in the next room to an in-door McDonald’s in South Dakota. When Illinois legalized slot machines, it did not require that all establishments hosting … Continue reading
On February 15th, the third email about legalizing slot machines in Lakewood was sent out by Trustee Paul Serwatka. It is below: Reporting on yesterday’s village board meeting, I’ll get right to the agenda item that I know everyone is … Continue reading
Paul Serwatka’s second email on the pending vote on allowing slot machines in Lakewood was sent February 14th. It linked to an article in the Northwest Herald about the vote that would be held that night. Here is the text: … Continue reading
While I was on vacation, the Lakewood Village Board was faced with the question of whether to allow slot machines. Trustee Paul Serwatka sent our three emails that seem worth sharing, even though they are of mailing historic interest now. … Continue reading
This is the fourth in a serialization of my father’s biography. Previous parts can be found below on McHenry County Blog. One of Dad’s inspirations for running for office involved an unresponsive city government. Plunk, plunk, plunk. I can hear … Continue reading
The name of the alternative town in the 1946 movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” is Pottersville. That’s what happens if the evil banker Harry Potter rules without interference from the Savings and Loan character Jimmy Steward plays. Crystal Lake ended … Continue reading
From the anti-gambling Illinois Church Action on Alcoholism and Addiction Problems (ICAAA): IDOT director calls for more reliable infrastructure funding Gambling revenues that have failed to meet expectation show the need for a more reliable, long-term source of transportation funding, … Continue reading
With the Crystal Lake City Council again being courted by local liquor serving establishments for permission to install slot machines, the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems organization sent me gambling losses from December, 2014, though May, 2014. … Continue reading
Twice the Crystal Lake City Council was approached by bar and restaurant owners requesting permission to have slot machines, which they call “video poker machines”, in their establishments. The last time Suds R Us on Route 176 right before Route … Continue reading
The December report on money lost by patrons on video slot machines has been posted by the Illinois Gaming Board. $37.9 million was lost statewide. Below you can see where people lost how much in McHenry County towns: Algonquin Battaglia’s … Continue reading
The new slot machine legislation going into effect on New Year’s Day goes under the label of “sweepstakes.” The Tribune’s Joseph Ryan has written a major story on what most legislators probably thought was a minor bill. Let’s test that … Continue reading
Crystal Lake last considered allowing slot machines (euphemistically called “video gaming” by supporters) in Crystal Lake in May, 2012. The vote was 6-1 in opposition with only Ellen Brady-Mueller supporting allowing them. Local bar and restaurant owners advanced the issue … Continue reading
Southtown columnist Phil Kadner took a look at the slot machines, euphemistically called video gambling, and found that they are the equivalent of nine new casinos. Lots of money that won’t be spent on goods and services will be spent … Continue reading
For the last week and a half, McHenry County Blog described gambling expansion bills that passed the Illinois General Assembly, plus the bill that would allow four new casinos (Chicago, Rockford, Waukegan-area and Danville), which passed only the State Senate. … Continue reading
This article started with a press release from the Illinois Church Action Council on Alcohol and Addiction. There are so many bills expanding gambling (despite the loss of the one to give Chicago, Danville, Rockford and the Waukegan area casinos) … Continue reading
This article started with a press release from the Illinois Church Action Council on Alcohol and Addiction. There are so many bills expanding gambling (despite the loss of the one to give Chicago, Danville, Rockford and the Waukegan-area casinos) that … Continue reading
This article started with a press release from the Illinois Church Action Council on Alcohol and Addiction. There are so many bills expanding gambling (despite the loss of the one to give Chicago, Danville, Rockford and the Waukegan-area casinos) that … Continue reading