The Arlington Heights Village Board has informally adopted a measure endorsing slot machines at Arlington Park.

As a result of the unexpected development Monday night, Mayor Arlene Mulder will now write a letter to state legislators summarizing the trustees’ stances on allowing an expansion of gambling at the racetrack.

Mulder launched the discussion by reading a letter she had drafted regarding her personal stance on slots. She believes that the park should be given what it needs to survive, including slots machines.

Most trustees tacitly agreed that slots were necessary to keep the park alive and agreed to support the business’ plan to use the machines to subsidize purses, theoretically boosting live racing.

Trustee Thomas Hayes was the sole voice fully opposed to the slots. He said he does not support a land-based casino in Arlington Heights, which he believes current legislation in Springfield would provide.

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, the racetrack sent a packet out to trustees detailing some of its plans.

There would most likely be a separate building dubbed a casino housing the 1,200 slots machines that would under current legislation pending in Springfield. The casino would operate from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. nearly 365 days a year.

Hayes compared the plan to another Churchill Downs park, the Calder Casino and Race Course near Miami.

Trustee Joseph Farwell was vague on his specific stance, but had asked the question on his Facebook page and read responses during the meeting. All but one of 26 responses favored slots at the track, he said.

Farwell said he wants a meeting and official discussion to take place to send a message to Springfield before the close of the spring session, after several legislators had asked the board to take a stand.

Trustee Carol Blackwood said she has been in support of the track and its desire to expand gambling for decades and she continues to support them.

Trustee John Scaletta said he is greatly concerned about the negative impact of the track closing and said he would support them if pressed.

Trustee Norman Breyer said that no acceptable alternative to slots has been suggested that would keep the park in business. He wants to see a proposal but wants to help the park succeed.

Trustee Bert Rosenberg said the village cannot afford to lose Arlington Park and that the facility would sit vacant for a long time if Churchill Downs shut down operations.

Trustee Michael Sidor, new to the board, said he has talked to residents and received mixed responses. He was generally supportive and willing to have a discussion, but wants the village to prepare for the worst-case scenario in case the park does close.

Tony Petrillo, the park’s general manager, was in attendance and said he appreciated the support of the board.

No formal action was taken at the board meeting because the discussion was not on the agenda. But village board officials said they might call a special meeting for next meeting to allow the public to weigh in and discuss the matter further.