Chicago City Council Committee Blocks Ward-Level Video Gambling Bans

Ordinances to ban video gambling machines in six wards were decisively defeated, breaking with tradition of aldermanic prerogative.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:38pm

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The Chicago City Council License Committee has decisively defeated two ordinances that would have banned video gambling machines in six different wards across the city. This move breaks from the long-standing tradition of aldermanic prerogative, where the council typically follows the lead of the local alderman on issues within their ward. The vote shows aldermen remain divided as a plan to legalize gambling machines citywide races ahead.

Why it matters

The decision to block ward-level bans on video gambling machines highlights the tensions within the City Council over the broader push to legalize gambling across Chicago. While some aldermen have raised concerns about issues like gambling addiction and increased burglaries, the council appears reluctant to allow individual wards to opt out of the revenue-generating gambling expansion.

The details

The ordinances sought to ban video gambling machines in the 26th, 27th, 28th, 33rd, 35th and 49th wards. Aldermen Jason Ervin and Walter 'Red' Burnett, who sponsored the bans in their respective wards, were rebuffed when they asked for their ordinances to be held. The committee chair, Ald. Debra Silverstein, rejected the requests, in a rare move that broke from the tradition of aldermanic prerogative. Supporters of the citywide gambling legalization, which was included in Chicago's 2026 budget, are likely reluctant to allow individual wards to opt out and reduce the expected revenue.

  • The City Council License Committee meeting where the ward-level bans were defeated took place on March 12, 2026.
  • The Chicago City Council passed a $16.6 billion budget in December 2025 that included legalizing video gambling as a revenue-raising measure.
  • Last month, Ald. Anthony Beale approved a resolution triggering the City Clerk to share the required communication with the Illinois Gaming Board, allowing the state to begin processing Chicago's gambling applications.

The players

Ald. Jason Ervin

Alderman of the 28th Ward, who sponsored an ordinance to ban video gambling machines in his ward.

Ald. Walter 'Red' Burnett

Alderman of the 27th Ward, who sponsored an ordinance to ban video gambling machines in his ward.

Ald. Debra Silverstein

Chairwoman of the City Council License Committee, who rejected the requests to hold the ward-level bans on video gambling machines.

Ald. Anthony Napolitano

Northwest Side alderman who argued there was precedent for the City Council to overrule the local alderman, citing the case of an affordable housing project in his ward that passed in 2022 against his will.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot

The mayor, whose team has argued that the legalized video gambling machines will not bring in as much revenue as promised.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know what the rush is. This is unprecedented by this body. Just understand this: I have never in my 15 years in council, for a ward-based matter, to be done in this matter. So this is highly unusual.”

— Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th Ward Alderman (Chicago Tribune)

“There was in fact precedent for the body to overrule the local alderman, citing the case of an affordable housing project in his ward that passed in 2022 through the council against his will with the support of Mayor Lori Lightfoot.”

— Ald. Anthony Napolitano, Northwest Side Alderman (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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