Wheaton council directs staff to object to DuPage County gaming changes; approves contracts, licenses and zoning first readings

Wheaton City Council on Jan. 21 voted to direct city staff to file an objection to DuPage County Zoning Petition T‑125, a proposed county text amendment that would change distance requirements for video gaming terminals, and approved several contracts, liquor licenses and zoning first readings.

The council’s motion directs staff to submit formal objections to the county and to consider asking the county to add a provision preserving a 1,000‑foot buffer from municipal boundaries for municipalities that prohibit gaming terminals. A council member said the county’s draft language — which creates a separate “cafe” category distinct from restaurants — had already affected zoning outcomes in north Wheaton and urged that the city’s correspondence be sent also to the county board representatives for Districts 4 and 6.

The objection follows a staff memorandum notifying the council that the county’s amendment would reduce separation distances in some cases — for example, decreasing the distance from schools from 1,000 feet to 100 feet — and recommending council action. The council voted, by roll call, to direct staff to proceed.

In other votes, the council approved a resolution authorizing agreement No. 521 with American Road Maintenance Inc. for application of the preventive asphalt surface treatment product GSB‑88, for a total not to exceed $100,000 plus a 10% contingency. City staff said the product is used as preventive maintenance — applied about one year after resurfacing and again about five years later — and that $100,000 was budgeted in the 2025 Public Works budget for the treatment.

The council also approved a bid waiver to permit the fleet superintendent to purchase up to four replacement vehicles as they become available, with an estimated combined cost of about $157,000. Staff explained ongoing supply issues and recommended the waiver so individual vehicles can…