Like Or Oppose Video Gaming In Niles? Speak Up Immediately

The Niles Task Force on Video Gaming, which Mayor Andrew Przybylo created to explore whether Niles should permit video gambling, is holding two key meetings this week.

At 6 p.m. Monday, the task force, chaired by James Callero, will hear testimony from groups both in favor and against video gambling. It will be held at the Village of Niles Senior Center, 999 Civic Center Plaza, a few steps to the east of village hall, in the same building as the Niles Family Fitness Center.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, members of the public may speak to the task force at Niles Village Hall, in Civic Center Plaza at the southeast corner of Oakton Street and Waukegan Road. 

Przybylo said he has not yet made up his mind about video gambling. He recently told the Chamber of Commerce he is "not sold" on the idea, but wanted to hear input. 

He has also said he's proactively trying to create business development and opportunities for economic development in Niles,  and video gaming could be part of that.

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Patch.com reported in September that 84 suburbs permit video gaming; at that time, Morton Grove, which permits video gaming, had 18 terminals.  Since that time, two Betty's Bistro locations in Morton Grove have applied for permits. 

Groups which both oppose and support video gaming will be speaking in Niles at the Monday meeting. They include:

• 6:00 Northern Illinois Anti-Gambling Task Force
• 6:15 Illinois Council on Problem Gambling 
• 6:30 Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems 
• 6:45 Illinois Family Institute 
• 7:00 State Representative Louis Lang 
• 7:15 Roosevelt University, Manfred Steinfeld School of Hospitality and Tourism 
• 7:30 Sanchez Daniels and Hoffman LLP 
• 7:45 Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry