Villa Park trustees waive first reading, approve liquor license as board debates video‑gaming limits

The Village of Villa Park Board of Trustees on May 18 voted to waive the first reading and to increase the number of Class 4‑I (quad I) liquor licenses, clearing the way for Puerto Nuevo Seafood and Bar at 120 W. Roosevelt to open with a full‑pour license that excludes video gaming. The board moved and adopted the ordinance after business representatives said they were ready to open and had invested in the project.

Priscilla, who spoke for the restaurant, told the board the owners had put significant money into the venture: "We've invested approximately 1000000 dollars into the project," and said the restaurant planned to be family‑friendly and to serve alcohol primarily by table service rather than as the primary focus of the business. She asked the board to consider issuing a liquor license without permitting gaming terminals.

The vote to waive the first reading and move forward with the license issuance was recorded in a roll call after discussion and passed in favor of the motion. Board members cited competing priorities: some emphasized support for small businesses ready to open and add jobs and sales tax revenue, while others urged consistency with prior board direction and recommended that the Liquor Control Commission complete its review before expanding license availability.

Public comment at the start of the meeting framed the debate in contrasting terms. Christine Murphy, a resident who spoke on agenda item 11a, urged the board not to act on a villagewide gaming restriction without data: "Based on what data, have crime rates risen and been increasing because of video gaming? Have bankruptcies increased? Have police incidents increased around these establishments?" She asked the board to publish any impact studies before making major policy changes.

Mary Anne, a business owner who said a prior meeting had delayed consideration of her relocation and licensing, raised concerns about fairness and possible preferential treatment. She asked how the board would treat existing businesses that needed to move and said, "Is everyone truly being treated equal under the same standards and timelines?" She also asserted that certain votes could present an appearance of conflict of interest when trustees have property or business ties in the village.

Trustees debated revenue impacts and timing. Supporters of the fast track argued that allowing an established, ready‑to‑open restaurant to begin operations would create jobs and generate local tax revenue; critics asked that the Liquor Control Commission finish its review to ensure consistent licensing rules.

The ordinance to create availability for the quad I license and the separate motion to issue the license to the applicant were adopted at the meeting. Next steps for the business include completing any remaining administrative licensing steps; no gaming terminals will be permitted at the location under the approved license.

The board also continued broader discussion of proposed villagewide restrictions on new video‑gaming establishments (first reading held earlier in the meeting) and signaled additional public input opportunities and follow‑up with the Liquor Control Commission on licensing classifications.