What residents say:
Quotes from Downers Grove residents were either directly provided, were transcribed from Village of Downers Grove Council Meetings, or were communications obtained through Village of Downers Grove FOIA requests.
Communications Village Council has received from Downers Grove residents
Over the past few years, the Mayor and Village Commissioners have received hundreds of emails and heard from dozens of residents at Village Council meetings. Approximately 90% of the feedback has been firmly against Video Gambling.
Residents who have voiced their opposition include:
- Long-time residents and a fourth-generation Downers Grove builder who has witnessed the town’s evolution.
- An addiction counselor.
- Young families.
- Retired individuals.
- Young couples who recently moved here.
- High school students.
- Parents representing both private and public school organizations.
- Average residents who were shocked to learn this issue was even under consideration.
90% of these voices are united in their opposition to the video gambling ordinance.
I deeply regret my vote in favor of the initial gambling licenses in Darien. Over the years, we faced pressure from business owners arguing against perceived unfairness, and despite our efforts, we couldn’t effectively control the expansion of additional licenses or the signage that came with them. The introduction of gambling not only affected the character of Darien but also prevented other businesses from flourishing. This experience led me to move my family out of Darien to Downers Grove, and I’ve seen others do the same.
Tom Chlystek, former Alderman of Darien, now DG resident
From my experience building 122 homes in Downers Grove, my clients consistently inquire about amenities such as pools, libraries, parks, schools, and public safety. Not once have I been asked about access to Video Gambling.
Dave Matthies, lifelong, 4th generation DG resident and President of Matthies Builders
“The more gambling options you provide, the higher the addiction rates,” she explained. “Video Gambling has similar neurotoxic effects as illicit drugs and triggers dopamine release. As Council Members, you have a responsibility for the well-being of our community members. 70% of gambling addicts also suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.”
Slot machines are designed to exploit the brain’s reward system. This is why many people are addicted to their phones, social media, and gambling—because of the dopamine hits. While many of us may be resilient to gambling addiction, some will spend money meant for essentials like rent, groceries, and family needs. This isn’t hypothetical—it happens every day.”
Dr. Jamie Moss, DG resident & business owner
Video Gambling is nothing more than a cash grab, targeting those who can least afford to lose money. I don’t know anyone who believes it will enhance the physical appearance of our family-friendly historic town—with the addition of neon signs, sidewalk signs, and flags—or improve the atmosphere in our restaurants. In the late 90s DG created several TIF Districts downtown to attract new businesses and restaurants. 25 years later our downtown is among the best of the best in the western suburbs – and we did it WITHOUT Video Gambling.
We should continue to explore alternative methods to support local businesses that align with our community’s values and well-being. Let’s learn from Decatur’s very negative experience, and other towns that deeply regret allowing the first gaming licenses and make an informed decision to keep DG free of Video Gambling.
A ProPublic article said, “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.”
I would prefer DG to benchmark itself against towns that continue to reject video gambling, rather than those that allow it.
Tom Schroder, 19-year DG resident
To understand the potential impact of Video Gambling on home values, I analyzed median home sales prices in towns with and without Video Gambling. The median price in towns that allow Video Gambling is $281,000, while in towns that do not, it is $691,000—a difference of $410,000. Let’s choose to continue to benchmark DG with towns that don’t allow Video Gambling vs towns that allow it.
Tracy VanHoutan, DG resident and valuation expert
As a resident of Downers Grove for over 21 years, I have witnessed numerous positive changes, largely due to the effective leadership and stewardship of our Mayors and Village Councils.
Other villages that have introduced Video Gambling have seen negative impacts on their business districts, including unsightly changes and a decline in aesthetics.
Since Illinois legalized video gaming terminals in 2009, their prevalence has surged, surpassing the number of gambling venues in Nevada. It’s time to draw the line and vote NO on Video Gambling in Downers Grove.
Jennifer VanHoutan, 21-year DG resident
From my understanding of our Village’s financial stability, there hasn’t been any urgent plea from Village staff indicating that we need to compromise our community’s integrity for this revenue.
Marshall Schmidt, DG resident and former Mayoral Candidate
The anticipated revenue does not seem to justify the changes it would bring to our family-friendly town. This includes concerns about signage, as well as the potential noise, appearance, and loitering associated with video gambling machines.
Mark Brenner, 22-year DG resident
Allowing it would drastically alter the look and feel of our beloved town, make us feel less safe, and potentially decrease our property values.
David & Holly Francis, 15-year DG resident
Home buyers choose to live in Downers Grove because of its vibrant atmosphere and the appeal of our new businesses and restaurants. Allowing Video Gambling would undermine that charm.
Samantha Schroeder, DG resident and Award Winning Realtor
I am strongly opposed to the introduction of Video Gambling in Downers Grove. In my opinion, both the tangible and intangible costs significantly outweigh any potential revenue benefits to our Village.
Steve Buehler, 20-year DG resident
The reality is that Video Gambling preys on the most vulnerable members of our community, transferring their money to those who are in less need.
Tom MacDonald, 25-year DG resident
Recently, I took my family to Home Run Pizza, where we had enjoyed the kid-friendly video games before. To our disappointment, those games have been replaced by six Video Gambling machines. This change has removed the family-oriented atmosphere we valued so much. We did not return to DG for Video Gambling; we came back for its community spirit and family-friendly environment.
Danielle Bergandi, resident who relocated back to DG from Texas
When I drive by Belmont and Maple Street, I cringe at the blinking lights and Video Gambling signs. Please don’t undo all the hard work that has made this town such a great place to raise kids and a desirable place to live.
Anne Reilly, lifelong 3rd generation DG resident
It’s noteworthy that the proposed locations for Video Gambling machines are also where alcohol is served. This combination can lead to encouraging people to drink and potentially gamble away their money. I have a moral issue with this. Downers Grove has a great Brand and is known for having great role models and a family-friendly atmosphere, we’re not a blinky light town. We should align ourselves with towns that do not permit Video Gambling.
Kari Presson, 13 year DG resident &
Brand Marketing Director for an International Insurance Firm
The Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, a key contributor to shaping our community and one of the reasons I love living here, has officially stated that they do not support Video Gambling in our Village. Their insight and expertise should be seriously considered in this discussion.
Laurie Siebert, 20-year DG resident and District 58 & 99 Volunteer
If I wanted to gamble in Downers Grove today, I could: visit a local establishment like the Moose, play PowerBall on my phone, or use apps like FanDuel or DraftKings to bet on sports. However, I can also take my family to a local restaurant without encountering gambling machines, thanks to the current regulations.
Nick Klucharik, 10-year DG resident
Please keep our community classy for us, our children, and future generations.
Waqas Akkawi, DG resident
Allowing Video Gambling is not about additional revenue for our Village but rather about enriching a few restaurant owners and terminal operators. The potential tax revenue does not outweigh the negative impacts, such as increased strain on Village staff and law enforcement, reduced funding for our schools due to the shift from casino to video gambling revenue, and the economic decline observed in towns with Video Gambling.
As Village Commissioner Chris Gilmartin said, “It’s a race to the bottom.”
Caroline Shields, DG resident for 12 years, mother of 3
The neon signs and other advertising associated with Video Gambling would detract from the aesthetically historic feel of our town.
Marlene Schroder, 19-year DG resident
A February 2023 article in Money Magazine highlighted that U.S. commercial gambling revenue reached an all-time high of over $49 billion in 2022. However, it also pointed to severe issues such as addiction, depression, substance abuse, and increased suicide rates. Shouldn’t our focus extend beyond mere financial gain? While many chase revenue, we believe Downers Grove should prioritize the well-being of its residents and the broader community.
Linda & Carl Clevenger, 30+-year DG residents
Visitors often compare our Village to Mayberry or a Norman Rockwell painting, which makes me very proud. Imagine if Andy Taylor and his son Opie were heading to the Mayberry Diner and saw a neon “video poker” sign in the window. Picture Floyd Lawson stopping by to play slots while they waited for their meal. Instead of a charming conversation, Opie might be questioning why Floyd is gambling, and Andy would have to explain its vices—hardly the idyllic scene we cherish.
Melissa Brenner, 20 year DG resident & Attorney
Our current signage ordinance permits a substantial portion of storefront windows to be covered with advertising. This could allow businesses to use the allowable space for large, prominent signs, such as a “SLOTS HERE” sign, which could be quite flashy and intrusive. Imagine multiple such signs along downtown Main Street—the visual impact would be significant.
Elizabeth Chalberg, longtime DG resident
Illinois ranks low in terms of the percentage of gambling revenue received, which affects its ability to fund resources for addressing gambling addiction. As a result, the burden of providing support for gambling addiction may fall on our local municipality. With projections suggesting that 10% of our community could develop a gambling addiction, are we prepared to bear this cost?
Tim Colston, DG resident
To obtain a Video Gambling license, establishments must also hold a liquor license. From my experience, intoxicated individuals who lose money gambling can become angry and disruptive. Do we really want this kind of environment in our Downtown restaurants while families are dining?
Dan Wimsatt, 25-year DG resident & Addiction Counselor
During a recent family cruise, I observed a noticeable difference between areas where Video Gambling was allowed and those where it was not. In the gambling areas, the environment was clearly affected—there were more intoxicated individuals, increased use of foul language, more trash, and the smell of smoking.
Eva Rodriguez, DG North High School Student
Voting to permit Video Gambling would contradict the values that define our town. Had Video Gambling been present 25 years ago, I would not have chosen to settle in Downers Grove.
Sarah Van Dyke, DG resident for 25 years
I’ve lived in several towns where the arrival of Video Gambling led to a noticeable decline. Downers Grove is special, and my decision to live here is not connected to Video Gambling. Let’s keep it that way.
Jonathon Bender, Father of DGN High School student
I urge you to vote NO and keep Video Gambling out of Downers Grove entirely, as neighboring towns like Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Western Springs, and Hinsdale have done. I chose to move my family to Downers Grove for its current character, and I wouldn’t have done so if Video Gambling had been a part of it.
Tim McCahill, DG resident
Just because Downers Grove already has some unsavory businesses, like smoking parlors, does not mean we should add another by allowing Video Gambling. The argument that we owe it to struggling restaurants, still affected by COVID, is also flawed. Many businesses faced challenges during the pandemic without receiving the same level of support as restaurants.
Janet Winningham, DG resident
If you have children, would you advise them to gamble when they are adults? We know that consistent gambling leads to losses—it’s often referred to as the “Bad Math test.” It’s troubling to consider introducing something into our community that we know will lead to financial losses for our residents.
Charlie Eckert, DG resident
I was initially in favor of Video Gambling, hoping it would bring additional revenue to Downers Grove and help lower our taxes. However, after researching the issue and realizing that the revenue is minimal and the negative impacts are significant, I am now completely against it.
Michael Morrissey, DG resident and father of 4
It’s a fact that gambling can break up families and cause severe financial setbacks. I’ve witnessed this firsthand in my own family; my mother insists I take her to the Joliet Casino once a week. While I do this for her, I would never choose to visit that town otherwise.
Jaysharee Shroff
There are plenty of surrounding communities that already have Video Gambling—if you want to gamble, go there.
Scott Richards, DG resident
It’s perplexing why this issue keeps resurfacing, especially when it’s driven by a small number of restaurant owners seeking a marginal increase in revenue despite the well-documented negative impacts.
Anthony Schroeder, DG resident
Our restaurants and bars are thriving as they are, and introducing Video Gambling would only risk future addictions, harm families, and exploit residents for financial gain.
Dana Cox, 17-year DG resident and former D99 School Board Candidate
I question why there was such a rush to vote on this issue last fall and why certain Commissioners feel compelled to act on it due to alleged campaign promises. It’s also concerning that only restaurant owners and gaming companies are vocal in their support.
Joyce, DG resident
I choose to shop locally, but I avoid the market on Maple and Belmont due to its intrusive signage. It’s crucial for business owners to weigh both the potential gains from Video Gambling against the possibility of losing customers who value the current ambiance of our community.
Kim Eckert, DG resident
The additional revenue from Video Gambling is seen as insufficient compared to the potential costs. These include increased policing needs, the potential loss of casino gambling tax revenues that support schools, and the cost of managing signage and enforcement.
Let’s preserve our family-friendly atmosphere and community character, not open ourselves up to the increased social costs that come with Video Gambling, and let’s not put restaurant owner greed over our community values.
Debbie Scarlati, 30 year resident of DG
Every restaurant that has opened here did so with the understanding that Video Gambling was not part of our local landscape. These establishments chose to invest in our community under the existing regulations, and it is important that they respect these boundaries.
Greg Fisher, 20-year DG resident
While I deeply wish for every restaurant to thrive, it should be through sustainable and ethical means rather than relying on the potential downsides of Video Gambling. Successful businesses should be able to stand on their own merits and adapt through innovation, not by capitalizing on the vulnerabilities of individuals.
Mike Steffes, 20-year DG resident, former DG Zoning Board Member
Beyond personal preference, there is no clear evidence suggesting that Video Gambling would bring a positive economic impact to our town. In fact, the majority of residents are opposed to this change, and their concerns should be given weight.
Nell Sorenson Pfister, Newcomer to the DG Community
I personally would avoid dining at any restaurant that offers Video Gambling, and with the proposal affecting areas close to my home on Ogden, I’m concerned about a slippery slope where more venues would eventually be permitted as a matter of fairness. It’s crucial to consider the broader impact and uphold the values that make our town a great place to live and raise a family.
Carrie Swenson, 20-year DG resident and teacher
If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, and walks like a duck – it’s a duck. Visiting establishments in downtown Lemont and Westmont, I’ve seen how Video Gambling has changed their character for the worse. I want to ensure that Downers Grove does not follow that path.
Tim Sullivan, DG resident
I suspect that if I knocked on the 50 doors in my condo building, not one resident would be aware of this proposal or support it. It’s crucial that we engage in open and effective communication with all residents to make informed decisions that reflect the true desires of our community.
Nancy Sullivan, DG resident
The proposed 5% share of revenue for the Village is not substantial enough to justify the potential drawbacks. A closer look at the list of towns that have adopted Video Gambling compared to those that have not is quite persuasive in supporting the latter.
Laura Murray, 20-year DG resident
Let’s keep Downers Grove a welcoming place for all families.
Carol Caccippio, 65-year DG resident
I am opposed to Video Gambling in Downers Grove, especially in the downtown area. I do not want this in our family-friendly town and downtown business district.
Pat Enright, 20-year DG resident
Over the years, downtown DG has become much more vibrant, and it would be disappointing to make a change that could alter this positive trajectory. My wife and I take walks around downtown most nights and truly enjoy the current atmosphere. We appreciate that it feels safe for our teenage boys to visit for dinners, ice cream, and movies with their friends.
Allen Hogg, 21-year DG resident
By introducing Video Gambling units in Downers Grove, we risk degrading the downtown area and attracting negative elements. Let’s keep our town charming, family-friendly, and a great destination.
Paula Hunsche, DG resident
Introducing Video Gambling would be a huge detriment to our lovely downtown, altering its positive ‘vibe’ and attracting a crowd that would otherwise not be there.
Michael Nelander, 9-year DG resident
I do not want Video Gambling in Downers Grove. It sends a poor message to our children and attracts the wrong individuals to our community.
Kevin Bruno, 20-year DG resident
As a long-time resident who loves this town, I believe Video Gambling will have many negative impacts and does not belong here.
Will Ferris, longtime DG resident
As a small business owner employing 10 local people, I understand the challenges of running a business. However, if restaurant and bar owners cannot achieve profitability without resorting to gambling, they may need to reassess their business models.
Dave & Sahar Slocum, DG resident & business owner
I don’t want Video Gambling in DG. I don’t want our downtown to look like Las Vegas. I think it detracts from our Village and we won’t be able to control the signage or messaging.
Steve Scarlati, 30-year DG resident
DG has great restaurants. Let’s be famous for that – and not Video Gambling.
Jim Kelley, DG resident
I’m worried about the crime at establishments that will have Video Gambling. The small amount of money the Village will receive will be erased by policing these establishments.
Vito Siciliano, 40-year DG resident
