Title
Joint resolution approving the Program Year (PY) 2023 Video Gaming Revenue grant funding recommendations in the amount of $640,000.
Staff Summary
• The Lake County Board annually acts on the Video Gaming Revenue (VGR) award recommendations that are developed on the basis of the VGR policy. The policy outlines procedures for: capturing video gaming administrative, legal, and enforcement costs; and evaluating and possibly funding social programs, projects (excluding capital improvements), and/or services that benefit Lake County residents.
• In December 2022, Community Development received applications for $913,884 in available VGR funds.
• On February 22, 2023, the Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) approved VGR funding recommendations detailed in the attached memo, totaling $640,000 for the following:
o 211 information and referral services;
o Gambling education and outreach;
o Gambling addiction services;
o Financial literacy services; and
o Behavioral health services.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Illinois Video Gaming Act (230 ILCS 40) establishes a 30 percent tax on gross terminal revenue, of which one-sixth is distributed to the governing body where the revenue was generated; and
WHEREAS, on August 13, 2013, the Lake County Board adopted the Lake County Video Gaming Ordinance, thereby permitting lawful video gaming within unincorporated areas of Lake County; and
WHEREAS, on September 13, 2016, the Lake County Board adopted the Video Gaming Revenue Policy to standardize the reinvestment of video gaming revenue in services to help residents who suffer from gambling addiction and other behavioral health issues; and
WHEREAS, the Policy specifies that periodic revisions may be made by the County Board through periodic review of the Policy; the most recent amendment thereto on November 10, 2020 provided for ongoing, dedicated funding support for 211 services outside of the competitive award process; and
WHEREAS, on February 22, 2023, the Lake County Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) reviewed recommendations by its Public Services Advisory and Recommendation Committee (ARC) and recommended reinvestment of $640,000 in Video Gaming Revenue into gambling addiction and capacity-building grants to behavioral health service agencies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the Video Gaming revenue grants recommended for 2023 be approved.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois on March 14, 2023.