Council Approves Video Gaming License Fee, Honors Maloof
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: January 22, 2013
PEORIA - Restaurant and bar owners in Peoria will have to pay a little
extra to run video gambling machines.
Tuesday, Peoria city council approved a new city
ordinance that requires a new license fee for establishments that want to have
video gaming.
Owners will pay $250 for the first machine and $50 for each additional
machine.
The state limit is five machines per establishment. The city says the fee will help cover labor
costs for issuing licenses, and the ordinance gives the municipality the
ability to regulate video gaming in the city. Originally, the city proposed a
higher, flat-rate fee of $500 per establishment. But Tuesday, local bar owners spoke
before council and asked that the city lower the cost and monitor the financial
impact of video gambling at least for one year. One bar owner said she already
pays nearly $3,000 in license fees and does not know how much more her business
could take.
"It's a choice for them. It's a business decision on whether they
want to take a risk on spending the money versus on what their income may be.
But I think the council did a good job at hearing some of the concerns of some
of the business owners tonight and said I'd meet you half way, " said
Peoria mayor Jim Ardis.
The ordinance passed nine to one, with Councilman Dan Irving voting against.
It will take effect next month.
The city also took a
moment of silence and recognized the memory of late Peoria mayor Jim Maloof.
The former mayor of
twelve years passed away Saturday at the age of 93.
Prior to Tuesday's council
meeting, city leaders held a moment of silence and asked that those in the room
reflect on Maloof's legacy.
Maloof's tenure ended
in 1997. Current city councilman Bill Spears served during Maloof's tenure and
said he learned a lot from the former mayor.
"He always was a
cheerleader for the city of Peoria and he always was a man that was positive
and made sure that Peoria and central Illinois was on the map," Spears
said.
"He's done a lot
for our community and a few moments of silence before a council meeting doesn't
equate into everything that needs to be said about Jim," said Ardis.
