Rich Kulovany - Village Commissioner

10/26/2024

There is a common misconception that the majority of restaurants and businesses in Downers Grove want Video Gambling. The truth is the DG Village Council asked the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation (DMC) to formally weigh in on the topic. (These are the two organizations whose full-time job is to bring new businesses to Downers Grove.) Both groups are against Video Gambling. The EDC letter below states it doesn’t meet their required economic threshold to make it viable. The DMC said it is aesthetically unappealing and they don’t want it.
For more information click on: DGVoteNo.org

10/23/2024

One of the biggest impacts on the reputation, image and the family friendly atmospheres of Dowers Grove is commercial signage. That is why DG has spent decades working to get rid of the gaudy and garish look of Ogden Ave. Why would you want to go back to that look?

You may think the Village will be able to restrict the exterior Video Gambling signage, but that is not true. As long as it follows the Sign Ordinance, other that the 25% coverage issue, the Village has no control over content.

Click on DGVoteNo.org for more myths, misconceptions and what your neighbors have to say.

10/22/2024

Do you make decisions based on what you think the facts are, or what the facts really are?

In the case of the Video Gambling (VG) referendum that is on the November 5 ballot, there is a misconception that this will help all the small restaurants in Downers Grove and there will be a windfall of tax revenue that will lower property taxes.

Here are the facts: 1) According to the actual ordinance, only ten DG establishments out of 166 will be permitted to apply. Three licenses have been reserved for the Moose, the American Legion and the VFW (under state law). Only seven DG restaurants and REC1 Liquor License holders will be permitted to apply. If more than seven apply, there will be a lottery to pick the 7 "winners." The drawing will be random and NOT based on need.

2) Someone is telling voters that Downers Grove will get $1.2 million in tax revenue from VG. When the real projection is $230,000 to $265, 320. $265K is only 0.4% of the Downers Grove annual operating budget. Because the VoDG portion of your real estate tax bill is only 9.7% (73% goes to schools) the $265K is 0.15% of the total RE tax levy. The so called tax savings will be negligible at best.

At this point the results are in the hands of the voters of Downers Grove.

(The sources for this information come right out of the October 24, 2023 Village Council Video Gaming packet, the Video Gaming ordinance and the FY2024 VoDG budget message.)

You can learn a lot more by going to DGVoteNo.org.

10/09/2024

Unless you vote NO on the Video Gaming (Gambling) initiative, Video Gambling will be legal in Downers Grove on January 1, 2025. This is not the panacea you may think it is. All the restaurants and clubs in Downers Gove WILL NOT be helped; only TEN will be chosen, and those who are eligible will be drawn by lottery. Downtown locations will also be eligible to apply.

1) The tax revenue is projected to be only $265,320, which is 0.4% of the VoDG operating budget – it won't lower you real estate taxes. (See picture 2 which is an excerpt from the Village Staff Report on Video Gaming dated October 24, 2023.)

2) None of this tax money will go to schools or parks. This is only a municipal tax.

3) No restaurants have left Downers Grove because Video Gambling was not allowed. Downers Grove has some of the lowest restaurant vacancy rates in DuPage County. – lower than those communities that allow gambling.

4) Video Gambling will negatively affect Downers Grove’s hard-fought reputation and atmosphere as a family friendly village. For that same reason, DG does not allow strip clubs, standalone bars, pawn shops, off track betting parlors, or cars on blocks in front yards. Ask yourself why communities like Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Naperville, Oak Brook, and LaGrange have voted against Video Gambling.

5) Property values are extremely important to folks and there are a number of factors that affect them. Property values have increased in Downers Grove and all the surrounding communities, with or without VG, but pictures #3 and #4 below compare the difference in increases. As you can see, the Equalized Assessed Valuation for a ten-year period for surrounding towns that have Video Gambling increased by an average of only 28.6%, while during the same period, towns who do not have VG, increased by 32.6%

Downers Grove had a whopping 47.2% increase. To put that in perspective, a house that was valued at $400,000 in 2012, would have been worth $588,800 in 2021. While a house in one of the VG towns would have increased to an average of only $514,400. That is a $74,400 difference. (Source VoDG Video Gaming report dated October 24, 2023.)

NEXT STEPS YOU CAN TAKE:
1.) Visit www.dgvoteno.org to learn more and/or request a yard sign. This site debunks many of the false claims about Video Gambling.
2.) Share this post to your own timeline so your friends will know how you feel.
3.) Vote NO. Early Voting started on September 26th at the Park District Rec Center, make sure your voice is heard.

09/20/2024

Unless you vote NO on the Video Gaming initiative that is on the November ballot, Video Gambling will come to Downers Grove, including our beloved Downtown. (The ordinance authorizing it has already passed the Village Council.) The emails I received as a Downers Grove Village Commissioner were 9 to 1 AGAINST Video Gambling.

1) The estimated revenue from Video Gambling is less than ½ of 1% of the VoDG budget – it won't lower real estate taxes.

2) None of this tax money will go to schools or parks. This is a municipal tax – our schools and parks are different government entities and will not benefit.

3) No restaurants have left Downers Grove because Video Gambling was not permitted. We have some of the lowest restaurant vacancy rates in DuPage County – lower than those communities that allow gambling.

4) Video Gambling will negatively affect Downers Grove’s hard-fought reputation as a family friendly village. We don’t permit strip clubs, stand alone bars, pawn shops, off track betting parlors, or cars on blocks in front yards. Ask yourself why communities like Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Naperville, Oak Brook, and LaGrange have voted against Video Gambling.

5) Many reputable companies will not locate in towns that have Video Gambling. Why is that?

NEXT STEPS YOU CAN TAKE:
1.) Visit www.dgvoteno.org to learn more and/or request a yard sign. This site debunks many of the false claims the greedy Illinois gambling industry makes.
2.) Share this post to your own timeline so your friends will know how you feel.
3.) Vote NO. Early Voting starts on September 26th at the Park District Rec Center, make sure your voice heard.

03/18/2023

I am joining the Downers Grove Professional Firefighters Association in adding my wholehearted endorsement of Bob Barnett, for Mayor of Downers Grove Mayor. His list of accomplishments is long and distinguished and the VoDG has actually flourished under his steady leadership, even through a pandemic. In the past four years I have spent more time talking with Bob than any other member of the Village Council and I have grown to respect him and call him friend. In a nutshell, Bob really gets it and his deep understanding of how the Village works will continue to serve us well for the next four years.

Last week I was honored to receive the endorsement of our Downers Grove Fire Fighters.

Endorsements are always controversial; who are they from, why did they endorse and why should others care?

Here’s what our Fire Fighters had to say:

“The overwhelming support and importance you have placed on the safety of the citizens, commuters and guests to the Village of Downers Grove is a testament to your dedication to public safety. You have continued through years as a council member, and as Mayor, to keep the Village moving in a direction that has grown a safe and incredible place to visit or call home.

You have proven experience and have handled difficult decisions with tough discussions all while remaining professional and effective.”

Public Safety is one of the important municipal services we all depend on. The Downers Grove Professional Fire Fighters sent candidates a questionnaire, considered records of service and determined who could best ensure that those in our community continue to receive the highest quality service.

Indeed, over my time of service our community has grown into a safe and incredible place to visit or call home. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve our Village and I’m asking you again trust me to continue to serve and lead our community as your Mayor.

The most important endorsement comes from each of you when you vote. Please vote Barnett for Mayor!

08/06/2022

06/18/2022

The 24th Annual Water Quality Report contains important information about the source and quality of your drinking water. Visit http://www.downers.us/WQR to view the report.

Copies are available, upon request, at Village Hall and the Public Works Facility. If you would like a paper copy mailed to your home, please call 630.434.5500.

05/19/2022

05/17/2022

TRAFFIC ALERT:
Work continues on improvements to Burlington Avenue & Mochel Drive. On Tuesday, May 17, road paving will occur at Burlington Ave. and Mochel Drive (near downtown parking deck), weather permitting.

On-street parking on Burlington Avenue from Main Street to Washington Street and on Mochel Drive from Burlington Avenue to and around the Parking Deck, will be prohibited during construction hours while resurfacing activities take place.

Downtown businesses and the Parking Deck will remain open throughout the project. Drivers can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Please follow traffic directions carefully and remember to drive distraction-free through the work zone.