VWF 'After New Year's Party' Fundraiser: Filling in the Shortfall after Ban on Video Gaming

The VFW is hosting a post-New Year's fundraiser, dubbed "Blues, Beer & BBQ," to make up for funds they can no longer generate from video gambling. In June, village trustees voted 3-2 to opt out of a state program that would allow video gambling machines in town and banned the games instead.    

Despite an outcry by the American Legion and the VFW, the village declined to enter into a relationship with the state, which would have oversight of the program. You can read more about it here, but village trustees opposed a program that joined their revenue stream with the Illinois General Assembly. Here are the basics of the state program:  

• In 2009, the Illinois General Assembly legalized video gambling machines with plans to fund construction projects with the revenue.
• Businesses would get about 30 to 35 percent of the cut of the revenue and the village would get a 5 percent cut. 
• Only establishments with a "pour" liquor license are eligible (they must serve alcohol for on-site consumption).
• Up to five gambling machines per establishment. Ages 21 and up. 
• Individual communities may decide to opt out and ban video gambling.

Frank Novak, VFW quartermaster/chief financial officer, said before the ban on video games, the organization made a pretty penny off video gaming. He didn't have the precise figure; "it's less than $50,000" a year. The money was used to help support the vets, to provide donations to the likes of the New Lenox Food Pantry and fund scholarships. The group continues toward that goal, but money is tight.

"We've barely got our heads above water," and that tightens the belt on donations that the organization wants to have at the ready for veterans in need, according to Novak. "We're planning to go back to the village in March" to address the issue again. It's working out in the villages of Mokena and Manhattan, he said.

Like New Lenox, the villages of Frankfort and Homer Glen decided to ban video gaming from establishments rather than opt in the state program.

Raising funds in the meantime

Tickets for the dinner are $15 a person. If you come just for the entertainment, then it's a $5 cover charge. The bar is cash-only.

The VFW's Sandy Regan noted that tickets must be purchased beforehand at the VFW. "We have to have the count right," so the staff orders enough and has the money in hand to pay for it.    

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