Tinley Park officials are supporting a request from the owner of a gas station and convenience store recently annexed to the village to add package liquor and video gambling.
A Village Board committee recommended Tuesday the full board approve liquor and gambling for Leonard McEnery’s Gas N Wash, 19420 S. Harlem Ave.
In October, the board approved annexing the business although nearby residents said they were concerned about the possibility of hundreds of additional vehicles entering and exiting the business if liquor sales and video gambling were approved.
Residents of the Tinley Trails subdivision west of Gas N Wash had asked village officials at the time to craft an annexation agreement that would prohibit liquor sales and gambling.
According to the business, existing space would be used for package liquor sales and an area for six video gambling terminals.
McEnery would also need approval from the Illinois Gaming Board for the machines.
By annexing the business, the village had estimated it could see property tax, sales tax and other revenues in the range of $400,000 to $500,000 a year.
With the addition of package liquor and gambling, that could add another $36,000 in tax revenue annually, according to the village.
The gas station was in unincorporated Will County, and McEnery had previously been thwarted in attempts to add liquor sales and video gambling.
This past April, in a 21-5 vote, the Will County Board denied a permit to allow liquor sales. Video gambling is prohibited in unincorporated portions of the county, and the county board earlier this year voted against a proposal that would have lifted that ban.
