Chicago Alderperson Bypasses Mayor to Start Video Gaming Process

Ald. Anthony Beale plans to file paperwork to allow video gaming terminals in the city, despite the mayor's opposition.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale has announced that he will bypass the mayor's office and directly file paperwork to allow video gaming terminals in the city. Beale claims he has the necessary signatures from other aldermen to move forward with the process, even though the mayor's administration has been reluctant to notify the state about accepting video gaming terminals.

Why it matters

This move by Alderman Beale highlights the ongoing political tensions between the city council and the mayor's office over the issue of video gaming. The mayor has been hesitant to embrace video gaming, but Beale and other aldermen see it as a potential revenue source for the cash-strapped city.

The details

Beale stated during a city council meeting that he already has a stamp-sealed signature from the city clerk's office that he plans to file, as well as signatures from multiple colleagues. He said that if the mayor's administration does not want to notify the state about accepting video gaming terminals, then he and other aldermen will 'take matters into our own hands' and 'do the job the mayor is supposed to do'.

  • Beale made these comments during a city council meeting on February 12, 2026.

The players

Ald. Anthony Beale

A Chicago alderman who is leading the effort to bypass the mayor's office and directly allow video gaming terminals in the city.

The Mayor of Chicago

The current mayor of Chicago, who has been hesitant to embrace video gaming in the city.

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What they’re saying

“Madam Chairman, I already have a stamp-sealed signature from the clerk's office that will be filed today. And I have multiple signatures from my colleagues. So if this administration doesn't want to notify the state that we're accepting video gaming terminals, then we will take matters into our own hands and we will do the job the mayor is supposed to do.”

— Ald. Anthony Beale (wirepoints.org)

What’s next

Beale plans to file the necessary paperwork with the city clerk's office to initiate the process of allowing video gaming terminals in Chicago, despite the mayor's opposition.

The takeaway

This dispute between the alderman and the mayor highlights the ongoing power struggle within Chicago's city government over the issue of video gaming. It remains to be seen whether Beale's move to bypass the mayor's office will be successful in bringing video gaming to the city.