For decades, gambling has been an open secret in Maple Park, a small town in far western Kane County. So a day after Illinois Sate Police shut down Main Street, arrested the mayor and led him from the Friday night steak fry in handcuffs, many in this hamlet of 800 residents were more upset with state officials than at any alleged indiscretion from their own leader.
"The government can gamble. The state can gamble. But our small town can't," said Otto Heinz, 70, a local farmer and demolition worker who on Saturday sat in a local bar in worn work boots, grumbling into his beer. "I think it's rotten."
About two dozen state police officers raided D.J.'s Tavern, a tin-roofed, wood-frame building on Main Street, arresting Mayor Mark Delaney and nine others on charges of conspiracy to commit gambling, a Class 3 felony punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison. State police officials said Friday that Delaney openly gambled at the bar and that Police Chief Chester Morris failed to take action against the pervasive wagering.
Investigators said they found video slot machines tied to cash payouts, a bookmaking operation, a spin-the-wheel lottery and other forms of illegal gambling.
Chicago Tribune.
"The government can gamble. The state can gamble. But our small town can't," said Otto Heinz, 70, a local farmer and demolition worker who on Saturday sat in a local bar in worn work boots, grumbling into his beer. "I think it's rotten."
About two dozen state police officers raided D.J.'s Tavern, a tin-roofed, wood-frame building on Main Street, arresting Mayor Mark Delaney and nine others on charges of conspiracy to commit gambling, a Class 3 felony punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison. State police officials said Friday that Delaney openly gambled at the bar and that Police Chief Chester Morris failed to take action against the pervasive wagering.
Investigators said they found video slot machines tied to cash payouts, a bookmaking operation, a spin-the-wheel lottery and other forms of illegal gambling.
Chicago Tribune.
