Great find! Really makes you wonder what kind of money they're still making on the book today. This is one guy, well connected obviously that did over 20 million a year in bets. Bookies in Chicago were a dime a dozen back then, hell I knew 2 and every currency exchange likely was taking bets. And paying tax.

Hal Smith should'be just paid the 6K a month, he supposedly had all the NW burbs so he likely was easily making 500K a year.

The village tavern still exists I was just there a couple weeks ago with the wife for the fish fry. The broasted chicken is great too. Oldest bar in IL.

http://www.villagetavernoflonggrove.com/