Skokie Trustees Discussed Video Gaming Expansion
The village board is evaluating the potential legalization of video gaming terminals in local businesses.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Gambling
Live Poll
Should your local government permit video gambling terminals in neighborhood businesses to increase tax revenue?
The Skokie Village Board held a straw poll on October 5 regarding the potential allowance of video gaming terminals in local establishments. Trustees are weighing the potential tax revenue against the social risks associated with increased gambling access.
Why it matters
Officials are debating whether to permit gaming to generate municipal revenue or maintain current restrictions to address community concerns. The board has requested public input to help guide their future decision on the matter.
Staff project annual revenue of $823,890 if 29 establishments host six machines each, while current rules allow for 46 total restaurants to potentially qualify. Five businesses have already expressed interest in operating the terminals.
The players
Skokie Village Board
This is the governing body for the village of Skokie that oversees local legislative decisions and public policy.
Alison Pure Slovin
She serves as a trustee on the Skokie Village Board and expressed interest in the gaming proposal.
Jim Iverson
He is a trustee on the Skokie Village Board who showed support for discussing the terminals.
Keith Robinson
He acts as a trustee on the Skokie Village Board and indicated interest in the potential expansion.
Kimani Levy
As a trustee on the Skokie Village Board, she is among those favoring further discussion on video gaming.
The details
State law limits these machines to bars, restaurants with liquor licenses, fraternal organizations, and truck stops, provided they remain at least 100 feet from schools and churches. Village staff are currently developing a plan to gather resident feedback before any legislative changes occur.
Timeline
Between January 2025 and June 2026, 12 calls from Skokie residents were made to the Illinois Gambling Help line.
In June 2026, trustees directed staff to assemble a formal video gaming report.
The Skokie Village Board held a straw poll regarding the terminals on October 5, 2026.
Village staff will gather community input on video gambling in the fall of 2026.
After Thanksgiving 2026, staff will return with a community polling plan.
Culture Shift
The debate reflects a broader societal tension between local municipalities seeking new revenue streams and the ongoing normalization of digital gambling access. This trend places suburban villages in the middle of a delicate balance between fiscal policy and community character preservation.
Residents may be asked to participate in community polling later this year to express their views on the proposed gaming terminals. If approved, the presence of these machines in local restaurants could change the atmosphere of establishments and influence where community members choose to dine.
The takeaway
The village board is currently in the early stages of evaluating the trade-offs between potential tax revenue and community oversight. Residents should watch for upcoming opportunities to provide public comment as the village develops its formal community polling plan.
What happens next
Village staff are scheduled to return with a plan for soliciting community input after Thanksgiving 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local policies in our Gambling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Record.
Live Poll
Should your local government permit video gambling terminals in neighborhood businesses to increase tax revenue?
