This past July, the state of Illinois approved a law that legalized Video Poker. The law is hoped to help pay for a $31 billion capital improvement bill that is planned to improve roads, bridges, schools and other projects around the state. Thirty percent of the net revenue generated by the Video Poker machines will go towards government coffers, 5/6th will go towards the state, and 1/6th will go towards the local community. The law, however, allowed communities to opt out if they so wished to.

Although this bill will provide extra funds, some counties are already planning to opt out. According to the Suburban Chicago News, Will County Board Chairman Jim Moustis wants his county to opt out.

"I'm opposed to video poker," he said at Thursday's county board executive committee meeting. "I'm opposed to legalizing neighborhood gambling."

Moustis doesn’t want to see families gambling away their money with the machines.

"My understanding is, video poker is one of the most addictive forms of gambling there is," he said.

County board member Cory Singer, a fellow Frankfort Republican, agreed with Moustis.

"It's shameful that this is what the state of Illinois has turned to," he said. "They're operating the state on the back of booze, smoking and neighborhood gambling. The only thing lower than this is prostitution."

But is it such a bad thing? With all of its profits going towards the city, how could they go wrong?

The county board committee has scheduled a meeting for August 13th so all 27 county board members can discuss and vote on the issue at hand.

The new Video Poker law allows liquor license holders to have up to five legal Video Poker machines in their establishments. At the moment, there are 58 businesses that qualify.

I think it’s fantastic that Illinois legalized Video Poker, however I also think it’s a good thing that they’re allowing cities to opt out of the law. I do think it will benefit the state, but many disagree. What do you think?