The odds are getting longer for a bill to bring a land-based casino to the Chicago area.
A bill sponsored by Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) has made it through the Illinois Senate but is stalled in the House of Representatives, where Michael Madigan, speaker of the Democratic-controlled chamber, is wrangling with Republican Governor Bruce Rauner over passage of a state budget.
Link’s bill would create a casino license for Lake County, located just north of the Windy City, either in Waukegan, North Chicago or Park City. It also would permit casinos in Chicago and the city’s southern suburbs of Rockford, Danville and Williamson counties.
However, by failing to clear the House before a crucial May 31 legislative deadline, the measure will now require a three-fifths super-majority in both the House and Senate to pass this year.
The bill passed the Senate with 33 votes, three short of a super-majority.
