Video Gaming In Downers Grove? Voters To Weigh In With Referendum

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — When Downers Grove voters head to the polls on Election Day, they'll weigh in on some important issues, including whether to allow video gaming within the village.

In October 2023, village officials opted to present the referendum during the 2024 General Election. The move came in the wake of a unanimous vote to amend an ordinance that would have permitted video gaming as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Below is how voters will see the question on their ballots:

Shall the Village of Downers Grove permit video gaming only for establishments holding (i) restaurant liquor licenses and located outside of the Downtown and (ii) club and recreational facilities liquor licenses, with restrictions placed on the number of licenses, the number of terminals, terminal configuration, terminal visibility, establishment proximity to churches ad schools, and with no allowance whatsoever for video gaming cafes, in the Village of Downers Grove, County of DuPage, State of Illinois?

If approved, the measure would allow for the issuance of 10 gaming licenses.

Related: Downers Grove Voter Guide For 2024 General Election

Terminals would only be permitted in businesses that have been open for at least 12 months. Additionally, the ordinance would have the following conditions:

• No video gaming cafés
• No video gaming terminals that are visible from outside of an establishment
• Approved establishments must be more than 100 feet from schools or churches
• Video gaming must be located in a separate room with an area of up to 200 square feet

If approved, it's estimated video gaming licenses would bring in between $230,000 and $265,000 in annual revenue, per village documents. Establishments would pay annual fees of $1,500 per video gaming terminal, along with a $1,885 initial application fee.

Patch Editor Jeff Arnold contributed reporting.