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TechnographMadigan to hear citizens' takes on casino additions
By Patrick Wade
Posted: 9/28/07 Section: News
When the Illinois House of Representatives reconvenes for its fall session next week, it will be faced with a capital budget bill, the likes of which has not been passed for eight years.
The bill passed through the Senate after much compromise between both parties, said state Sen. Michael Frerichs, D-Gifford, but is now facing some resistance from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.
Among other statewide projects, the bill would provide funds for local infrastructure improvements, renovations to Lincoln Hall and the construction of two new campus buildings. Madigan plans to hold hearings in Springfield and Chicago to discuss with citizens the source of money for the spending: a statewide expansion of gambling.
"The speaker wants to hear from people around the state as to whether or not they think that's a good idea, whether that's what they want Illinois and Chicago known as, a gambling mecca, second only to Las Vegas," Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said.
Frerichs said he believes the bill has a "very slim chance" of passing in the House.
"Most people would agree that we need a capital bill," said state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana. "I think it's a matter of working together and putting something together that people will agree on." Jakobsson has never voted to expand gambling, but she said she will wait until the bill comes out of committee to make a decision.
Though the spending portion of the bill passed the Senate unanimously, the bill detailing the gambling expansion passed by only one vote. If signed into law, it would authorize the licensing of one new Chicago casino and two additional riverboat casinos, the locations of which are unknown at this point.
This would mean a 30 percent increase in the number of casino licenses in Illinois and a 115 percent increase in the number of gaming positions, Madigan told the Chicago Tribune this week.
Justin DeJong, spokesman for the governor's Office of Management and Budget, said that there are many gambling facilities just across the border in Indiana, which regularly see income from Illinois residents.
The bill passed through the Senate after much compromise between both parties, said state Sen. Michael Frerichs, D-Gifford, but is now facing some resistance from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.
Among other statewide projects, the bill would provide funds for local infrastructure improvements, renovations to Lincoln Hall and the construction of two new campus buildings. Madigan plans to hold hearings in Springfield and Chicago to discuss with citizens the source of money for the spending: a statewide expansion of gambling.
"The speaker wants to hear from people around the state as to whether or not they think that's a good idea, whether that's what they want Illinois and Chicago known as, a gambling mecca, second only to Las Vegas," Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said.
Frerichs said he believes the bill has a "very slim chance" of passing in the House.
"Most people would agree that we need a capital bill," said state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana. "I think it's a matter of working together and putting something together that people will agree on." Jakobsson has never voted to expand gambling, but she said she will wait until the bill comes out of committee to make a decision.
Though the spending portion of the bill passed the Senate unanimously, the bill detailing the gambling expansion passed by only one vote. If signed into law, it would authorize the licensing of one new Chicago casino and two additional riverboat casinos, the locations of which are unknown at this point.
This would mean a 30 percent increase in the number of casino licenses in Illinois and a 115 percent increase in the number of gaming positions, Madigan told the Chicago Tribune this week.
Justin DeJong, spokesman for the governor's Office of Management and Budget, said that there are many gambling facilities just across the border in Indiana, which regularly see income from Illinois residents.
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Kevin M.
posted 9/28/07 @ 5:54 AM CST
The ends justify the means in this case. Illinois, state-wide, needs the capital bill. Blago apparently isn't going to approve any tax levy except for the exact kind he wants, so this might be the only way to get it done. (Continued…)
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