All sides converge for bingo hearing

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By Diane Strand About 200 people, from all sides of the issue, attended a public meeting Feb. 11 hosted by the DeKalb County Board at the County Health Department. The topic was a tentative agreement, between the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe and the board, on a possible electronic bingo operation near Shabbona. The Potawatomi have steadily maintained that 1,280 acres near Shabbona is their reservation, given to Chief Shab-eh-ney in the 19th century. Despite that, the tribe paid $8.8 million for 128 of the acres near Shabbona where they propose to build a government center and a 24-hour electronic bingo operation. Others disagree on the reservation status, and considerable research has been done on the topic by the county's attorney, Dennis Whittlesey, of Washington D.C. and also by the Illinois Attorney General's office, Shabbona business supporters of the reservation, and other community groups. The decision on reservation status rests with the National Indian Gaming Commission. However, County Board Chair Ruth Anne Tobias said last week she doesn't expect an NIGC ruling on the issue in 2008. County State's Attorney Ron Matekaitis explained to the crowd, if the “reservation” status is confirmed, and the county board hasn't made an agreement with the tribe, county officials will be completely left out of decision-making. Therefore, Matekaitis said, the county and the tribe have worked out an agreement. Again, if the reservation status is confirmed, duties and responsibilities for each side have been spelled out. If the reservation status is rejected, there will be no gambling operation. Pluses in the agreement for the county include a minimum of $850,000 and no more than 2.5 percent of gambling revenue. In addition, the tribe will pay the same amount of money as would be charged in property taxes. The “property tax” amount would be distributed to schools, park districts and other units of government, The bingo operation construction and staffing will provide jobs with benefits, the Potawatomi have said. County health and safety regulations will be observed by the tribe. The Prairie Band leadership has negotiated with trade unions in the Shabbona area, as well as with Shabbona Township. The Shabbona Business Association supports the bingo operation. Opposition has come from Citizens Against the Casino, representing 50-100 people, and other local groups. The two primary objections cited have included loss of the quiet, rural character of the Shabbona area, and a moral argument that gambling will lead to addiction, and white collar crimes to support addictions. The agreement with the Indians calls for a contribution of $25,000 the first year to support addiction counseling and additional donations to schools and other social services. One of many residents making public statements at the meeting, commented, “There are a lot of dollar signs floating around here. I had a friend who got into gambling. He lost his family and committed illegal acts to get money to go gambling. I'm afraid that this will bring more crime to the area.” Chuck Foster of PawPaw said, “Three weeks ago I went to the Kansas (Potawatomi) casino and I didn't see the growth that I hear here (at the public meeting). There was the casino on a hill, and a gas station. I didn't see any buildings within six or seven miles. “We do need more business in DeKalb County,” Foster said, but it should be production and manufacturing, not service industry. For every dollar spent at the casino, (much will go back to the reservation in Kansas), there will be one less dollar spent in the county for other businesses. Resident Stan Johnson, asked, “Are we dealing with a hypothetical? If we are, what's the rush? Why don't we wait until we know? Then we would have time to re-word the agreement according to some suggestions ... I would recommend that the county board (delay) the issue on Feb. 20-wait until they (tribe members) are legally qualified.” Area resident Grace Mott said she had toured the Kansas reservation and then went “out into the community and the schools and talked to many people. The tribe is doing a wonderful job caring for their community”....and the nearby schools. “The city fire department is helped by the Indian fire department...And wildlife is an important thing to the Potawatomi people who will be good stewards of the land on their historic home in Shabbona,” Mott said. “I read this intergovernmental agreement and the Potawatomi have given far more than they need to,” Mott said. “I was shocked by what I see them giving away. I ask that the county go ahead with this decision.”