Board amends ordinance to bar ‘video‑gaming cafes’ but removes six‑month liquor‑license waiting period

The village board considered an ordinance amending chapters 109 and 122 of the village code to prohibit video‑gaming cafes and adjust licensing rules.

At the prior meeting the board had postponed a vote to discuss a six‑month waiting period: the draft required an establishment to be open under a liquor license for six months before becoming eligible for video gaming. Staff and the Economic Development Commission reviewed the item and recommended removing the six‑month requirement. Instead, the revised code adds a tool in the business‑license process: staff may request financial documentation to show whether an establishment’s revenue is primarily from food and drink rather than gaming, to prevent a “bait‑and‑switch” reclassification.

As one presenter explained, the financials are optional for staff to request, not a mandatory disclosure for all applicants, and are intended to verify that an applicant’s primary business is a restaurant or bar. Trustees discussed the balance between encouraging businesses and avoiding establishments whose primary purpose would be gambling.

The board moved and approved the revised ordinance by roll call. Several trustees noted they did not want to turn away legitimate businesses and emphasized the village’s interest in maintaining revenue sources while preventing exploitative business models.

The ordinance language approved removes the six‑month rule and adds the licensing option to request financials; the transcript records the board’s approval but does not include the final printed ordinance text in the minutes provided.