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Homer Glen trustees approve amended video‑gaming ordinance after months of debate
Summary
After extended debate about business impact and enforcement, the Village of Homer Glen approved an amended video‑gaming ordinance requiring restaurants to demonstrate 60% of revenue from food at annual license renewal and limiting ownership audits to corporate‑authority review.
The Village of Homer Glen Board of Trustees voted to adopt amendments to the village’s video‑gaming code after hours of discussion about audits, ownership transfers and enforcement.
Trustees debated provisions that would require restaurants holding video‑gaming licenses to maintain at least 60% of revenue from food and beverage and proposed audit and reporting language to verify compliance. Trustee Fialco and others expressed concern the audit language as written could be used arbitrarily. “This is government overreach,” Trustee Councilino said during the discussion, paraphrasing resident business concerns; several business owners had told trustees they worried the provision could expose them to improper demands.
Village Attorney Mike Pasquinelli said the code already allows inspections and explained the audit language was drafted narrowly. “The village reserves the right to inspect the premises at any time for compliance with all provisions of this code,” he said, framing that authority as a reasonable inspection power rather than an invitation to blanket financial demands.
To address concerns, the board approved an amendment that (1) requires license holders to provide adequate proof to the village finance office at annual license renewal showing 60% food/beverage revenue as a condition of renewal, and (2) limits in‑depth ownership audits to situations where the corporate authorities determine there is reason to investigate ownership or transfers. That amendment also clarified the village’s ability to request corporate books and records related solely to ownership or control when warranted.
The motion to approve the ordinance as amended passed by roll call (Trustee Reinders, Trustee Fialco, Trustee Stylin, and Trustee Mason voted yes; Trustee Councilino voted no). The ordinance will be enforced per the amended language and village staff said they will follow the new renewal‑based verification process.
Trustees who supported the measure said it restores clarity and preserves the village’s longstanding 60/40 food rule; trustees who opposed it cited concern about business burdens and asked for stricter safeguards on when audits can be requested. The board directed staff to circulate the amended text and implementation steps ahead of the next licensing cycle.
