The DeKalb County Board recently approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation regarding the proposed Shabbona bingo facility.

The board approved the agreement by a 16-7 vote and one absent at the Feb. 20 DeKalb County Board meeting.

Ruth Anne Tobias, the DeKalb County Board chairman, said she thought the majority of the board members thought this was the best way, and the agreement gives the county a seat at the table.

“The agreement works for all the citizens of DeKalb County and we try to work very hard to protect the local property owners as much as we could, so that we can move forward,” Tobias said. “We hope this is a start for a friendly relationship between the tribe, the county government and other local governments.”

The tribe is also willing to make payment of lieu, which is a voluntary payment equal to that of property tax, Tobias said.

DeKalb County Administrator Ray Bockman said the county is waiting on the National Indian Gaming Commission’s ruling regarding whether or not the Shabbona land is considered reservation land. He said the ruling could be made by the end of the year at the earliest, but feels it could take longer.

If the land is a reservation, gaming can be conducted on the property; if it is not a reservation, gaming cannot be conducted on the property, Tobias said.

Tobias said as the county is waiting to see if gaming is allowed on the land, the Potawatami Nation can begin reviewing development plans with the County Zoning Office and begin construction.

The DeKalb County Taxpayers Against the Casino (DCTAC), a group opposed to the Shabbona bingo facility, feel that although the agreement is important, they still have concerns.

“The agreement is important to protect the interest of the county and we agree with that,” said Peter Dordal, chair of the DCTAC and Shabbona resident.

Dordal said the DCTAC are still trying to figure out which parts of the agreement mean and if the county agreement helps the casino with the federal government.