Under an ordinance amended by the DeKalb City Council in a pair of 5-0 votes, restrictions will prohibit video gambling establishments in current and future restaurants, gas stations, food and fuel establishments, and liquor stores, but not video gambling terminals in businesses holding a bar liquor license in town.

The City Council’s decision comes on the heels of delays in state license issuance to CJ’s Gaming Bar and yearslong deferrals of Blue Ridge LLC and its request for a license, which officials say complicates the city’s efforts to cap video gambling establishments at 10.

DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said he believes the amended video gambling ordinance is a win-win for the city and the restriction deliberations weren’t rushed.

“This is a great compromise for, I think, everyone concerned that we are still allowing this to move forward,” Barnes said. “We’re just restricting a certain number of it. Future councils can always change it, absolutely. This is just what we’re deciding right now is what we believe is best for the city of DeKalb.”

Also under the amended ordinance, there are five businesses – Keg and Kernel by Tangled Roots Brewing Company, La Calle Bar and Music Venue, Lord Stanley’s and the Annex, Tapa La Luna and The Grove Tavern – that would become eligible for a video gambling license.

DeKalb resident Duane Brown urged the council to make the city more business friendly.

“We don’t need unnecessary and restrictive regulations regarding the

Discussion on this topic previously arose at the council’s meeting earlier this month. During that meeting, the City Council extended a request made by Jeff Dobie of Blue Ridge LLC for a liquor and video gambling license in order to operate a proposed 6,090-squarefoot building, across from Fatty’s Pub and Grille. Action taken by city leaders at the time provides that there will be 11 video gambling establishments allowed in town.

At a maximum, a licensed establishment is allowed to have up to six video gambling terminals for patrons to use, according to city documents.

In 2022, the city took in $391,000 in tax revenue from the terminals, the highest annual revenue to date, according to city records. License fees brought in $96,000 for the terminals in 2022.

Sixth Ward Alderman Mike Verbic questioned where all the money generated from the city’s video gambling would go. “Will this be a part of a budget discussion then, or we will direct you to carve out a specific amount of future proceeds from gaming?”

City Manager Bill Nicklas replied, saying revenue generated from area video gambling goes to city’s general fund. He expressed some hesitancy about setting aside funding to area social service agencies to address the issues with gambling.

“We don’t know yet about quality, what they’re bringing and if they’re successful and all that,” Nicklas said.

Verbic, who said he’s opposed to video gambling, said he supports the council’s decision but believes more action is needed for people susceptible to gambling addictions.

“I feel like we should be dedicating a portion of – whether it’s monies we’ve already collected or future monies – to address that issue specifically,” Verbic said. “We don’t provide counseling from the city of DeKalb but how can we be a better partner to help people that are taken by this gambling.”

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News Briefs

Generation X event set for April 8 at DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a Growing Up Gen X event at 6 p.m. April 8, in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room.

The event is free and intended for adults.

The event will look at the toys, technology, and cultural touchstones that were part of Generation X’s development. The social, cultural and historical factors behind the conditions and objects also will be discussed. The event will include images of objects, vintage photographs and advertisements. Attendees can share memories and insights and engage in discussions. No registration is required to attend.

For information, email brittak@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2100.

Autoharps workshops April 8 and 29 at DeKalb Library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host two autoharps workshops from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 8 and April 29, in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room.

The workshops are free and intended for middle school students through adults.

Patrons can learn how to play the autoharp from “Harpin Howard” Solomon. Solomon will demonstrate and teach how to play the autoharp at a comfortable speed and complexity level. Pre-tuned autoharps, chord song sheets, and finger picks will be provided. Solomon will perform the autoharp at 3:30 p.m. Because only 20 autoharps are available, the workshops are first come, first served.

For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.

ProMedica Hospice info booth April 11 at DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a ProMedica Hospice informational booth from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, in the library’s main lobby.

The booth is free and open to the public.

The booth will share information on advanced directives, hospice and palliative care in preparation of National Health Care Decisions Day. The booth is being run by Annette Meares, Program Lead Advance Care Planning and Medical Ethics at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital and Valley West Hospital, and Meghan Wilinski of ProMedica Hospice and Palliative Care. An ACP team member can assist in completing advance directive documents. Translation services are available. No registration is required to attend.

For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.

NIU School of Theatre to present ‘The Children’s Hour’

DeKALB – The Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance will present “The Children’s Hour” April 6-8.

“The Children’s Hour,” originally written by Lillian Hellman, provides a perspective on humanity’s flaws and the extent people will go to protect their version of righteousness. The NIU production’s setting is changed from the 1930s to the 1980s. The change will allow the audience to experience the real meaning of the gender and sexuality topic.

The show is directed by Andrea J. Dymond. The cast includes Audrey Geysbeek as Martha Dobie, Kaitlyn Cheng as Karen Wright, Lauren Roth as Mary Tilford, Sydney Hamill as Amelia Tilford, Jonathan Perkins as Dr. Joe Cardin, Sonya Dunn as Lily Mortar, Finn Stumpf as Agatha, Chloe Konieczki as Rosalie Wells, Kyara Chisolm as Peggy Rogers, Raeanna Tremethick as Evelyn Munn, Jalen Kent as Grocery Boy, Yukina Nguyen as Helen Burton and Catherine Lois Fisher and Morgan Mallory as Lois Fisher.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, and Friday, April 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 8, in the O’Connell Theatre of the NIU Stevens Building in DeKalb.

Tickets cost $10 for adults, $7 for nonstudents and are free for NIU students. To buy tickets, visit niu.edu/theatre.

For information, visit niu.edu/theatre. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Holy Week Services

Easter Sunday, April 9, 10:30 A.M.

All Services Streamed via Zoom/You Tube (see church website for links)

Office Phone: 815-756-4888

Email: stpaulsdekalb@gmail.com

Website: www stpaulsdekalb org

The Reverend Barbara A T Wilson, Rector

P.M.