EAST DUBUQUE, Ill. -- Earlier this year, the state of Illinois
approved legislation allowing video gambling (for money) terminals to be placed in businesses.
On Monday, the city of East Dubuque enacted an ordinance that will govern the terminals' uses.
Previously, taverns were allowed to have gambling machines that did not have payouts. The new machines will be directly connected to a state regulatory agency.
Taverns had paid a city fee of $50 per machine. The new terminals carry a $25 city fee, and bars can have up to five. The city will collect 5 percent of the take annually.
"The state predicts $40,000 per machine annually," City Manager Al Griffiths told council members. "The city's share would be $2,000 per machine, but don't count on it."
The terminals must be located in an area open only to those age 21 and older.
Griffiths added that cities can choose to not allow gambling terminals and citizens can petition to keep video-gambling terminals out of their community.
Meanwhile, city hall staff spent Tuesday moving across the street to its new location along Wisconsin Avenue.
According to Linda Waltz, East Dubuque District Library Board treasurer, work on the renovation of the space previously occupied by City Hall will begin as soon as the library has final approval of its grants.
