Illinois state Senator Dave Syverson recently said if the so-called “grand bargain” budget resolution stalls, it could be separated from the overall bill and voted on as a stand-alone measure. Under the grand bargain, SB 7, bills regarding gambling expansion, pension reform, a property tax freeze, an income tax increase and others must all pass or none will pass. The gambling expansion component would allow six casinos in Chicago, the south Chicago suburbs, Rockford, Danville, Williamson County and Lake County; allow existing Illinois casinos to expand; and permit slots at Chicago airports and four horseracing tracks.
“If the overall grand bargain doesn’t move as we hoped it would, certainly our goal would be to have this one move forward because it does help all parties and it does help parts of the state,” Syverson said. He noted said Illinoisans spent $1.5 billion at casinos in surrounding states. “These states are building casinos right on the Illinois border to get Illinois residents. We’re strategically placing these casinos in defensive nodes along the Wisconsin and Illinois borders. It really does two things: One is that it helps bring gaming revenue into Illinois, and it stops the big outflow of people from Illinois going to surrounding states.”
The measure’s supporters added new casinos and their hotels also would attract large conventions.
Syverson said the gambling expansion bill is noncontroversial and could pass both chambers. “We hope this is one of those bills that both chambers and both parties can look at and take some credit for. This is really something that shouldn’t be caught up in some of the more controversial issues going on. Hopefully this helps open the door for some of the other bills that can be negotiated and passed in a bipartisan basis as well.”
State Senator Tim Bivins opposes SB 7 and said more casinos also could lead to more crime. “I guess my thought is if more expanded gambling would fix the problems of Illinois, it would have already been fixed. We’ve got more video stations, more gambling, than about anybody in the world, I think. From my previous career in law enforcement, I’ve seen the other side of this issue, which is why I’m opposed to it. You may get more revenue, but you also get more crime, more people addicted to gambling, you always get more,” he said.
Anita Bedell, executive director of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems, also opposes expanded gambling. “It’s too much. The state is already in trouble financially, and trying to make more money off gambling is not the answer. With video gambling on practically every corner and all the other types of gambling they have in Illinois, there are so many opportunities for people to lose their money as is, and expanding it any further is just going to cause more harm to individuals and families.”
The state Senate approved the bill in early March, but it’s still in limbo as legislators attempt to reach compromises. The Democratic-controlled House and the state’s Republican Governor Bruce Rauner have been at an impasse over the state budget for more than two years–the longest period any state has operated without a budget in nearly a century.
