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Lack Of Compromise On Casino Legislation Could Be Wisconsin's Gain

By aaroncynic in News on Jan 6, 2012 8:40PM

Gov. Pat Quinn could end up taking more heat for failing to come to an agreement on casinos in Illinois. The Rockford Register Star reports (h/t Rich Miller at Capitol Fax) a proposal to build a casino just north of Rockford in Beloit, WI, is gaining momentum.

The Ho-Chunk Nation is working towards applying for a federal gaming license, which can take up to two years to be approved, and will present their casino idea at a public meeting on Tuesday. A casino in Beloit would quash one in nearby Rockford, Illinois. State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) told the Register Star:

“With the fact that it won’t be taxed like Illinois casinos would be taxed, it’s unlikely that Rockford would ever get anything to pay the kind of costs it takes in taxes and license fees and be competitive with a casino 15 miles away.”

The Illinois Legislature and Gov. Quinn have yet to reach an agreement on expanding gaming in Illinois since the first measure passed in May. Quinn has long said the bill passed in Springfield is "excessive" and that he refuses to turn Illinois into "the Las Vegas of the Midwest." Illinois Gaming Board chairman Aaron Jaffe called the legislation "a pile of garbage."

Some Rockford lawmakers argue a casino would bolster the local and state’s economy and delays in gaming laws would be costly. Syverson said a casino in Beloit would be a huge loss to the city, telling the Star “It’s about whether it’s going to be in Rockford, where it can be regulated and taxed, or it’s going to be in Beloit, where we would have no control and have a huge loss of revenue to places like Magic Waters and our hotels.”