Illinois Legislator Fights for Casino Growth in Final Stance
Democratic Representative Bob Rita, the primary backer of a legislative effort to broaden gambling in Illinois, aims to gather support for the proposal – which could plug a $1.8 billion financial gap in the state – prior to an approaching deadline.
With Illinois debating whether to prolong the current temporary income tax to handle the shortfall, Rita expressed his despair over the absence of urgency from the state's politicians in a letter to House Speaker Michael Madigan and GOP head Jim Durkin this week.
"The response to these amendments has been lukewarm," noted Rita, who couldn't fathom why a measure that cleared the Senate lacked support.
To the Piercing Wire
Set to be debated in a House committee Monday, the measure, albeit uncalled for a vote, still offers slender opportunities for amendments or re-draughts, which could potentially secure it passage via the Legislature by the May 31 deadline. Bob Rita is keen on galvanizing support in this regard.
His legislation, SB1849, entails two choices: a) the creation of five new casinos, including one in Chicago, together with additional slot machines and horseracing tracks; or b) the building of a massive Las Vegas-esque "mega casino" in Chicago.
A Billion Dollars Annually for State and City
"The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce relayed last month that a Chicago casino could lead to annual $1 billion income for the state and city, and that a 10,000-seat casino, as endorsed by one amendment, could be inadequate to accommodate demand," noted Rita.
Since the provisional tax increase lapses in January, doubts persist over Democrats' prospects in garnering adequate votes to enliven its extension. Thus, Rita expects financial support.
However, analogous casino plans have been sanctioned by the legislature prior to, only to be vetoed by Governor Pat Quinn at the brink. Quinn hasn't revealed his views on this issue, but his unease with Chicago's murky history which features mobsters and corruption, and the prospect of casino growth, has caused him to quiver. In 2012, he vetoed a gaming growth bill for seemingly failing to uphold integrity and oversight of gambling and sleazy characters.
No "Spaces for Mafia"
"We won't have doors for mafiosi in Illinois," Quinn stated previously. "The bill before me was utterly paltry when it came to preserving integrity and uprightness and legislating gambling in our state."
Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has stated he would prioritize solving the $100 million pension predicament ahead of considering gambling extension.
Gambling first entered Illinois through the enactment of the Riverboat Gambling Act in 1990 partly to retaliate against Iowa's authorization of riverboat gaming along the Mississippi River. When initially introduced, the vessels were required to cruise. In 1999, legislation was passed allowing them to dock permanently. Ten licenses were conferred at first, with the caveat that no casino could be erected in Cook County; this was to shield Chicago's well-known horseracing tracks from Rita's attempts to enhance gambling in Illinois.
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