Business representatives and prospective tavern owners told the East Dundee Village Board on Aug. 4 that a village ordinance adopted in October 2024 that reduced the number of permitted video-gaming machines should be reconsidered or applied with exceptions for some existing-sale situations.
Mike Morrison, speaking on behalf of the owners of Zambonis, said the business acquired the property and planned to operate six gaming machines after village staff and prior leaders reviewed and approved the plans. "The change in the ordinance came in October '24. The owners of Zambonis purchased the business ... prior to that date," Morrison said. "It kind of makes me wonder, what was the purpose of changing that ordinance, especially after we had decided to ... move forward with our business with the 6 machines being okay in this village."
Morrison told the board the village changed the “goal post” after the transaction and said the terminal operator that would service the machines had indicated it would not deploy devices at locations with only two machines, reducing reliability and service for those businesses. "They are going to decline us at 2 machines because it is not worth their investment to put machines in," he said.
Prospective Carroll's Corner proprietors introduced themselves and detailed plans they said would preserve the building’s character while making improvements. "We're tavern operators. We currently operate two taverns in the City of Chicago ... We've taken what were arguably dilapidated properties, and we've breathed new life into them," said Kristen Kopicki, one of the group. Several members of the prospective owner team said gaming revenue is part of development feasibility and could speed planned upgrades and apartment renovations at the Carroll's Corner site.
Jamie Mueller, who identified herself with Rosie O'Harez, reiterated concerns she raised at a July 21 meeting and said she had not been aware of the October 2024 ordinance. "I was not aware that there was an ordinance that passed in October 2024," she said during public comment.
Why it matters: The ordinance change affects downtown alcohol-serving businesses and could change the value and marketability of those businesses if the number of permitted machines is lower than expected by buyers and operators. Several speakers asked the board either to grant exceptions for businesses that bought properties before the ordinance change or to revisit the ordinance to avoid harming small business resale value and long-term viability.
What the board said: Board members told speakers the ordinance is currently in place but that it can be revisited in the future. There was no formal vote or ordinance amendment during the Aug. 4 meeting; speakers were told the existing ordinance remains effective.
Context and limits: The October 2024 ordinance itself was cited repeatedly by speakers but was not presented in full during public comment. No board member proposed an immediate amendment at the meeting, and no binding exception was granted. Statements in this article are drawn from public comments during the Aug. 4 Village Board meeting; where a speaker’s statement could not be tied to a named speaker in the transcript, it is reported as unattributed commentary from the public record.
Ending: Board staff did not announce a schedule for revisiting the ordinance. Several business owners said they would follow up with village staff and monitor whether the village will consider amendments or specific exceptions for prior purchases.