Lucky Penny's video gaming café will not get the zoning relief it needs to open near Wheaton.
The DuPage County Development Committee voted 0-5 on Tuesday, Oct. 20, to reject two zoning variations for the proposed café in Milton Township. The vote sends a denial recommendation to the full DuPage County Board, which would need a three-quarters supermajority of 14 votes to override the committee and approve the project.
Lucky Penny's had sought permission to operate within 1,000 feet of a place of assembly, school and daycare, and within 1,000 feet of an existing video gaming establishment. The DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) had already recommended denial in a separate 4-0 vote.
Three residents spoke against the petition at the Oct. 20 meeting, according to committee minutes. Julie Miracle, a Wheaton resident who lives west of the property, raised questions about the relationship between Lucky Penny's and Sully's, a neighboring business, as well as the identities of the property owner, business owner and video gaming terminal operator.
Vey Miracle also spoke in opposition. He told committee members that existing issues with Sully's, which would share a wall with Lucky Penny's, were a concern. He referenced a petition signed by 196 people opposing the zoning relief.
Glen Nelson urged the committee to deny the request, citing the Illinois Gaming Board statute, state administrative code and DuPage County's own video gaming code. Nelson said he plans to file a Rule 320 petition with the Illinois Gaming Board.
Matthew Allee, attorney for Lucky Penny's, argued the café's permit history was nearly identical to that of Lucky 7 Bistro in Addison, which the County Board approved in February 2026. He said none of the proximity restrictions were in place when the building permit application was originally filed.
County staff member Jessica Infelise presented a side-by-side comparison of the two petitions at the committee's request. She noted the cases differ because Lucky Penny's is asking to operate near a place of assembly, school and daycare in addition to an existing video gaming café.
DuPage County Board member Dawn DeSart asked whether Lucky Penny's holds liquor and gaming licenses. Paul Hoss, a county staff member, said the business has not obtained either license and has filed no applications for them. He clarified that Sully's operates as a completely independent tenant space and currently holds liquor and gaming licenses under legal non-conforming status.
The full DuPage County Board has not yet scheduled a date to take up the denial recommendation.
