Berwyn committee advances broad changes to video-gaming rules after heated public comment

BERWYN, Ill. — The Berwyn Licensing and Taxation Committee on Sept. 30 voted to send proposed changes to the city's video-gaming regulations to full council review after more than two hours of public comment in which business owners warned fee increases and waiting periods would force closures and residents urged stronger oversight.

Alderman Joshua Bowman, chair of the Licensing and Taxation Committee, described the package as an effort to balance revenue and community welfare and said the proposal does not eliminate gaming in Berwyn: "Gaming stays in Berwyn with this proposal. What we need to do is intentionally assess both the economic benefits and the potential social impacts of gaming operations within our community," Bowman told the committee.

The draft ordinance package (changes are organized in chapter 879b) would: (1) shift formal council authority over video-gaming license decisions so the Liquor Commissioner would recommend and city council would vote; (2) create a tiered license-fee schedule tied to net terminal income so higher-earning locations pay more; (3) establish a two-year moratorium on new video-gaming licenses while an ad hoc committee studies impacts; (4) channel licensing revenue into a dedicated community investment fund for items such as public-health and youth programs; and (5) add annual financial reporting and new distance and concentration rules…