While the Arlington Heights Village Board has informally backed a proposal to bring slot machines to Arlington Park, residents’ opinions on the idea are mixed.

In a surprise move on Monday night, the majority of trustees, as well as Mayor Arlene Mulder, endorsed the idea of installing slot machines at the racetrack and agreed to send a letter to relay that to state legislators.

Though no formal vote was taken, most trustees indicated their agreement that slots are necessary to keep the racetrack open and said they would support the track’s proposal to use slots as a way of subsidizing racing purses, theoretically boosting live horseracing.

Some residents said they too support the plan, which track officials assert could bring in $5.2 million in tax revenue for Arlington Heights and 900 to 1,400 new local jobs.

“I think the racetrack needs it, and I think we need it for the economy and for jobs,” said Camille Taglia, who lives nearby and said it appears the track’s parking lot is often nearly empty.

Other residents oppose slots, with many saying that casino-style gambling would attract a different crowd than the more cerebral horseracing gamblers.

Linda Maineiro, who has lived by the park for 22 years, said she’s “not keen” on the slots proposal, fearing it would result in traffic congestion and open the door to even more forms of gambling.

Those living by the track would be most affected, but some detractors believe the addition of slots would change the makeup of the entire community.

Trustee Thomas Hayes was the sole voice on the village board fully opposed to the plan, partially because he believes it would change the character of the village. He said the plan is tantamount to a land-based casino in Arlington Heights.

There has been some question as to what, exactly, the park’s plan would be if slots were allowed. Many trustees have said in the past that they would not come out with a position without a specific proposal.

Over the weekend, racetrack officials sent a packet out the village board with details about their plans, which are based on legislation pending in Springfield, and the results of a survey commissioned by the park.

The park is also launching a web site, arlingtonfuture.com, which details some of the arguments for slots and highlights the issues surrounding their approval. This also marks a change in the park’s stance, which has been to stay relatively mum on the issue pending the outcome of legislation.

If pending legislation is approved, the racetrack could install 1,200 slot machines that could operate from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., track General Manager Tony Petrillo said.

Trustees said a separate facility would likely be needed to house the slot machines to segregate the over-21 crowd allowed to play the slots from the more family-friendly crowd at the racetrack.

The survey commissioned by the ractrack included opinions from about 400 residents and indicated that 68 percent of residents were in favor.

But Judith Royale questioned the value of the survey results. She is with Residents for Home Rule, a grassroots organization opposed to slots at the track and the idea that the legislature allowing them would usurp the village’s home rule authority.

“I think the results of the track’s survey had more value to the board than it should have,” she said.

Opponents of slots have been vocal lately at village board meetings, asking that the village have a discussion about the issue. Many said they weren’t pleased that the issue came up Monday with no prior notice. It was not on the board’s agenda.

“I can’t believe how that went on. Apparently, they do not want public input,” Royale said. “It’s a concern for people who really support live racing. Would a land-based casino really help maintain live racing or will it just draw people away?”

The village board is considering holding a special meeting next week to allow for more public input.

But some residents said they’re indifferent about slots machines and don’t believe their presence would have much impact at all.

“Gambling is gambling,” said Jeff Rodriguez, who has lived in the village on and off his whole life. “You already have gambling on site.”