Title
Joint resolution approving the Program Year 2026 Video Gaming grant funding recommendations in the amount of $841,100 and an emergency appropriation of $16,100 from the Video Gaming Revenue Fund balance.
Staff Summary
* Lake County annually acts on the Video Gaming Revenue (VGR) award recommendations that are developed based on the VGR policy. The policy provides staff guidelines for allocating video gaming revenue to programs, projects, and/or services.
* In December 2025, Lake County Community Development received applications for VGR funds totaling $1,221,100.
* Applications were scored by staff and on March 11, 2026, the Housing and Community Development Commission approved funding recommendations totaling $841,100.
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 9, 2025, the Lake County Board adopted the amended Video Gaming Revenue (VGR) Policy to standardize the reinvestment of video gaming revenue stipulating some specific uses: for the purposes of 211 information and referral services and gambling awareness, education, and treatment of gambling disorders while the balance is to help residents who suffer from gambling addiction and other behavioral health issues through a competitive award process; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2026, the Housing and Community Development Commission approved recommended reinvestment of $841,100 in VGR 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 VGR grants recommended for Program Year 2026 (PY26) be approved...
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