Video Gambling In Burr Ridge? It May Happen

BURR RIDGE, IL – The Burr Ridge Village Board may tackle the issue of video gambling.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Trustee Joe Snyder asked for the issue to come up at a later meeting.

Burr Ridge, La Grange, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs and Elmhurst are among area towns that ban video gambling.

Darien and Willowbrook are among those that allow it. In the last year, Darien and Willowbrook received $323,000 and $114,000, respectively, in local taxes from video gambling machines, according to state records.

At the Burr Ridge meeting, Trustee Russell Smith agreed the topic should come up.

"Our local businesses are competing against other villages," he said.

Smith also said he would like to see the taxes generated from gambling designated for specific purposes.

"I don't want to see it dropped into the till. I want it to go to something residents are passionate about," he said.

Trustee Guy Franzese said a purpose such as pathways could be the focus of the money.

The trustees did not set a specific date for a discussion on gambling.