Thank You!
Congratulations to the voters of Downers Grove on the results of the November 5, 2024 Video Gambling Referendum vote. The “Vote No” margin was approximately 2:1.
Your voices have been heard, and the direction is clear.
The Village will hold a meeting to discuss the issue on December 3rd.
Learn More >>
Thank you to everyone who came out and voted, on both sides. If you showed your support by displaying a yard sign, please dispose of it properly or keep it in your garage as a trophy for helping preserve our family-friendly Downers Grove.
VOTE NO!
to Gaming Referendum in Downers Grove.
Election Day - Nov. 5
Early voting / mail-in voting starts Sept. 26
“Gaming” is Gambling.
Attention Voters!
Please remember to vote on November 5th (or take advantage of early or mail-in voting starting September 26th). We strongly encourage you to VOTE NO on the Video Gaming (Gambling) Referendum.
Please note:
- The Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation and the Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation DO NOT support the Video Gambling ordinance.
- Video Gambling revenue will have a negligible if any effect on lowering your property taxes because the expected revenue is only 0.4% of our Village’s budget (the Village would only receive 5% while 95% would be split between the vending operators, the State, and the restaurants. 62% of the gambling losses will be sent out of Downers Grove).
- The referendum you'll be voting on incorrectly states it won't be Downtown. If passed, the Moose* and Tivoli Bowl will be eligible to apply and be entered into the lottery to get a Downers Grove Video Gaming (Gambling) license. They are both located in the Downtown Business District. Every single town that started with only a handful of licenses and location restrictions ALL increased their number of licenses by several fold and Video Gambling is now in ALL of their Downtown areas. Other Downtown restaurant owners have stated that if it is allowed anywhere, they want it too.
Help us:
- Preserve the family friendly atmosphere of our Village for our families and future young families so our restaurants don’t feel and look like Las Vegas.
- Avoid gaudy neon signs in restaurant windows, sidewalk signs, and pole flags.
- Prevent slot machines from disrupting our dining experience and changing the family-friendly atmosphere.
- Keep critical table space by not allowing up to 6 machines in each venue.
- Reject incremental tax revenues that fail to outweigh the negatives of video gambling, including addiction and other mental health issues.
Get a Yard Sign!
Show you care about your Village.
Get a free yard sign for your property and show you care about your community.
Myths vs. Truths
Myth:
Video gambling can generate significant revenue for the local government and will lower my property taxes.
Truth:
Revenue from gaming (especially in towns that prohibit gaming cafes) is not the windfall proponents proclaim it to be. The Village would get only 5% of total gambling revenue while the other 95% would be split between the Gambling Terminal (machines) Operators, Establishment Owners, and the State of Illinois. 62% of that revenue would go to the gambling machine companies and the State. The estimated amount of revenue passed through to the Village would be a fraction of a percent of our overall tax revenue.
Vote NO!
on Nov. 5 Referendum
Vote by Nov. 5!
Get out and vote!
Every single vote matters!
DG’s early voting polling place is: Downers Grove Recreation Center: 4500 Belmont Rd
Who's Voting No?
Here’s a partial list of engaged citizens who know gambling is bad for Downers Grove.
Nearby Towns
That Have Gaming:
Median Home Value of $281,000*
Nearby Towns
That Don’t Have Gaming:
Median Home Value of $691,000.*
Arlington Heights
Barrington
Bolingbrook
Burr Ridge
Clarendon Hills
Deerfield
Evanston
Geneva
Glencoe
Highland Park
Glen Ellyn
Hinsdale
Kenilworth
La Grange
La Grange Park
Lake Forest
Libertyville
Naperville
Northbrook
Oak Brook
Oak Park
Park Ridge
River Forest
Wheaton
Wilmette
Winfield
Winnetka
*That’s a $410,000 difference!
“Video gambling companies have exploited the deeply flawed legislation to reap hundreds of millions of dollars in profits, while the cities and towns that bear the brunt of the social costs related to gambling receive a fraction of those proceeds.”
— ProPubica
how they felt about Video Gambling. 850+ responded.
4 things you can do to protect YOUR Village:
Sign Up!
Add your name to a list of concerned citizens who are protecting their community.
Get a Yard Sign
Contact us to pick-up your own free yard sign and show you care about your community!
Tell Neighbors
Discuss this important referendum with your neighbors and urge them to vote!
Vote NO!
Mark your calendar and make sure you vote NO! on this important referendum!
*The Moose Lodge is currently operating under a State of Illinois Video Gaming license that allows fraternal organizations to have video gaming terminals in municipalities who have not approved video gambling.