Palatine Agrees to Put Referendum Question on Video Gaming on April Ballot

The Palatine Village Council on Monday agreed to place an advisory referendum question on the April 7 ballot that asks residents how they feel about video gambling in the village, according to the Daily Herald.

The question placed on the ballot will read: “Should the village of Palatine amend their code of ordinances to permit video gaming (as defined by the Illinois Video Gaming Act) at restaurants and bars that hold a liquor license?”

The referendum would be “advisory” and the council would not be obligated to take any specific action if it passes or fails, according to village documents.

The village has had several liquor establishments repeatedly request consideration to allow video gaming in Palatine, according to the village council packet.

Palatine councilman Brad Helms said the referendum is meant to further get an idea of how the public feels about video gaming, according to the Daily Herald.

“I would hate to have staff have all this effort into it have the residents get all emotional about it and have the establishments get all excited about it and then come find out that no one wants it,” Helms said in the Daily Herald article.