Illinois House Passes Gambling Legislation Again
By Chris Bentley in News on May 25, 2012 5:20PM
Gov. Pat Quinn has not made many friends in the state legislature with his vocal opposition to casino legislation. But the state’s chief executive may have a hard hand this time around, as pro-gambling forces in Springfield have nearly enough votes to override Quinn’s expected veto.
Senate Bill 1849 would authorize new casinos in Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Park City and the south suburbs of Cook County. It would also permit slot machines at the state’s racetracks and airports.
The House passed the gambling bill, which Quinn says “continues to have major ethical shortcomings,” Wednesday, 69-47. For a veto-proof majority, they would need 71 votes. The governor’s main objection to the law as written is that it doesn’t restrict campaign contributions from the gambling industry and that it lacks sufficient regulatory oversight.
Proponents of the bill counter with projected tax revenue gains topping $300 million. Quinn’s office disputes that figure, projecting just $160 million. Last year Rivers Casino in Des Plaines helped bump state gambling revenue up $15 million to a total of $400 million.
Gambling has been a contentious issue in Illinois for years, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel somewhat upped the ante by lobbying for Chicago’s first-ever casino. The existing gambling industry in Illinois opposes the bill, claiming it will merely shift gamblers from one Illinois casino to another.
As the legislature nears its May 31 adjournment date, Quinn is pushing lawmakers to take action on reforms to rising health care costs and public employee pensions instead of betting big on gaming legislation.