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Villa Park board bans expansion of video gaming, grandfathering existing locations
Summary
On June 8, 2026, Villa Park trustees adopted an ordinance prohibiting expansion of video gaming while preserving existing establishments that lawfully operated terminals before June 8. Trustees debated transferability and business impacts before passing the measure by roll call.
The Village of Villa Park on June 8 adopted an ordinance that blocks any expansion of video gaming within the village while allowing existing establishments that lawfully operated terminals before June 8, 2026 to continue their operations.
The change, presented on a second reading, would prevent new businesses or relocated operations from adding video gaming terminals. The village attorney explained that under the ordinance the license is tied to "an establishment lawfully and continuously operating video gaming terminals within the village since before June 8th, 2026," meaning the licensed business entity and location, not a new, relocated operation, retains the right to the terminals. The attorney added that doing business under a different trade name (DBA) would not, by itself, remove that protection.
The vote followed hours of public comment from business owners who warned that restrictions could sharply reduce the resale value of establishments that rely on gaming revenue. "If we cannot sell our business with gaming, it will devalue most of them by uh 50% or more," said Brendan Fitzgeras, a local bar owner. Trustee Jesse Kumar asked how the ordinance would apply in common scenarios such as the death of an owner or a sale, seeking language that would avoid unintended hardship for proprietors and their families. The village attorney and trustees explained the draft language aims to preserve continuity for current establishments while preventing future expansion.
The ordinance passed on the board’s recorded vote (four in favor, two opposed). The transcript records trustees citing both economic and regulatory concerns during the debate; no effective date beyond adoption was stated during the meeting record. The board moved into executive session and adjourned after approving the ordinance and other items.
The action limits future expansion of video gaming in Villa Park while maintaining existing terminals at establishments that meet the ordinance’s continuity criteria. Any questions about specific transfers, sales or name changes were advised to be addressed with village staff and, if necessary, clarified in ordinance drafting or administrative implementation.
