Board OKs Potawatomi agreement

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SYCAMORE - After months of negotiations, the DeKalb County Board entered into an agreement with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation at its meeting Wednesday night. The agreement, which was approved by a 16-7 vote, centers on a 24-hour electronic bingo hall and government center the Potawatomi want to build near Shabbona on 128 acres the tribe purchased for $8.8 million in April 2006. The tribe claims the land is part of 1,280 acres given to Chief Shab-eh-nay in an 1829 treaty. The Potawatomi, descendants of Shab-eh-nay's band, claim their rights to the land were never extinguished, making the land a reservation. Federal reservation status is needed for the Potawatomi to build the facility as it is currently proposed, and a federal land determination by the National Indian Gaming Commission is pending. County board Chairwoman Ruth Anne Tobias, D-DeKalb, said the federal government has told the county a ruling is unlikely to come before the year's end. The agreement outlines conditions and understandings between the two governments should the land be declared a reservation. The plan calls for the tribe to make annual payments to taxing entities in lieu of property taxes, abide by the county's zoning and building standards and offer 37 property owners near the tribe's land a fair market purchase guarantee, among other terms. The agreement provides some certainty for the county as it awaits the federal government's decision, Tobias said. Many board members echoed her sentiment as they stressed that having an agreement with the tribe serves as a type of insurance for the county if gaming rights are granted. “No matter what we do tonight, tomorrow, the 21st, they could start building,” Stephen Walt, D-DeKalb said. “Do we want an agreement? I think we do.” Representatives of the tribe confirmed they will begin zoning and building procedures even before federal land determination has been granted. If the land is determined to not be a reservation, the agreement will be voided. Many board members urged residents not to see the approval as either an endorsement or condemnation of gambling. Many of the 100 residents who packed the board room, however, expressed concern the agreement makes it easier to bring gaming into the county. Some board members questioned whether the agreement goes far enough to guarantee the county's interests. Board Member Roger Steimel, R-DeKalb, proposed an amendment that would allow the county to keep building and zoning jurisdiction over the land. The amendment was defeated but the county will still be able to inspect any buildings on the tribe's land. Sycamore Journals Reporter Benjamin Steckler can be reached at bsteckler@chroniclenewsgroup.com.

How they voted YES Marlene D. Allen, Larry A. Anderson, Jerry Augsburger, Sally DeFauw, Eileen Dubin, Julia Fauci, Michael Haines, John Hulseberg, Patricia LaVigne, Jeffery Metzger, Richard Osborne, Robert Rosemier, Paul Stoddard, Ruth Anne Tobias, Anita Jo Turner, Stephen R. Walt NO Kenneth Andersen, Vince R. Faivre, Julia Fullerton, John Gudmunson, Howard J. Lyle, Roger Steimel, Michael Stuckert Sr. ABSENT Patricia S. Vary