Crowd Criticizes Highwood Council Over Video Gambling

Despite overwhelming criticism from citizens and visitors from other communities speaking against video gambling at Tuesday’s Highwood City Council meeting, one of the two aldermen sponsoring the measure remains confident poker machines will come to the North Shore.

Of the more than 60 people attending the standing room only meeting, 17 voiced their opinion with two in favor and 15 arguing against it. The Council will vote on the ordinance at its Nov. 19 meeting. The gathering will be held in a venue to be determined to accommodate an expected large crowd.

“We should not make money (for the City) by offering short term satisfaction to those who have the most to lose,” Highwood resident Ron Blanche said. “Addictions lead to other addictions,” he added worried about the outgrowth of allowing gaming in Highwood.

Alderman M. Brad Slavin, who along with Alderman Mike Fiore introduced the ordinance, is also concerned with ways to alleviate Highwood’s projected $23,000 budget shortfall on its $6 million budget.

Budget Concerns Spurred Push for Gaming

Slavin seeks a way to bring in that money without raising property taxes more than the already proposed 3.1 percent. The projected income from the machines will add between $75,000 and $125,000 to the City’s coffers, according to Slavin.

“We need additional streams of revenue,” Slavin said. “This issue (gaming) began out of long term financial planning. This would be the equivalent of a (tax) increase of $600 per home,” Slavin said of the revenue generated from the video machines.

Slavin remains confident the legislation will be approved. “It is the overwhelming sentiment (of the City Council) to pass it but we are open minded,” he said.

Lisa Cervac was critical not only of what she perceived the Council’s lack of transparency but the suggestion by state Rep. Scott Drury (D-Highwood) that Highwood merchants should be boycotted if the machines are allowed.

“One word has not been said (tonight) and that is respect,” Cervac said. “As our representatives you should treat us with respect. And for our state rep (Drury) to call for a boycott of Highwood merchants is the most appalling thing I have ever heard.”

One Citizen Sees Boost for Business

One of the two people who spoke in favor the ordinance, Alex Largo of Highwood, thinks it will be good for the City. “The businesses in this town need a boost and this may be it,” he said. “I doubt it will be as bad (as some suggest).”

The feelings about video gambling in Highwood reached beyond the city limits as eight of the 17 speakers were from Highland Park. The mayors of Lake Forest and Highland Park also checked in.

“The (Highland Park City) Council and I received several negative comments from our residents concerning video gambling in Highwood and I shared them with Mayor (Charlie) Pecaro,” Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said.

Lake Forest Mayor Donald Schoenheider was more specific. He urged Highwood to remain aligned with other North Shore communities which have specifically said they will not allow gambling.

“I believe that the efforts to change their position on video gaming would negatively impact their community and would negatively impact the surrounding communities,” Schoenheider said. “I’m encouraging and hoping they will reconsider that.” 

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