Quinn Doesn't Want Chicago Casino to Lead to "Las Vegas of the Midwest"

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 21, 2011 3:00PM

With politicians looking at an expansion of gambling in Illinois as sort of a cure-all for what ails Illinois, Gov. Quinn tried to be the voice of reason yesterday while still supporting the prospect of a Chicago casino. Quinn's remarks yesterday clearly indicated that, while he thinks a Chicago casino is a good idea, he doesn't want it to lead to an expansion of casinos across the state.

"We're not going to be the Las Vegas of the Midwest. I don't want that to happen, I don't think the people want that to happen," Quinn said at an unrelated news conference (Friday) in the Merchandise Mart. "Now we're here in the city of Chicago right now. It's a big city and a number of big cities in our country and as well as our world have a world-class casino. And if it's done the right way, it's worth looking at."

Quinn's comments highlight the problems in expanding gambling in Illinois, and Chicago obtaining a casino, in particular. He realizes that other politicians in other towns in Illinois want a casino for their town and that, once that genie is out of the bottle, it can't be put back in.

Skokie Rep. Lou Lang has been spearheading the most recent talk of a Chicago casino and is a persistent advocate of gambling expansion in Illinois. During the last legislative session, Lang came close to passing a bill for casinos in Chicago, the south suburbs, Lake County, Danville and Rockford, and he said he may have similar legislation ready to be introduced before the General Assembly adjourns at the end of the month.