An expanded gambling measure that would allow a Chicago casino and several others statewide will be considered this summer. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said state Senator Terry Link’s measure, designed to generate desperately needed revenue, was not ready to be presented to the Senate executive committee, and therefore would not advance before the Legislature adjourned on May 31.
Link’s bill would allow Chicago to keep all revenue from a city-owned casino for seven years to help pay down the city’s multi-billion-dollar public pension shortfall. It also would permit casinos in Chicago’s south suburbs, Rockford, Vermilion County and Lake County. In addition, smaller “satellite” casinos, with 400-600 slots, could be located in Decatur and far southern Illinois .
Former Governor Pat Quinn previously vetoed two gambling expansion bills. Governor Bruce Rauner has been more open to allowing new casinos, but he and Democratic leaders are at an impasse over a new state budget.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed a city-owned casino for years, and in recent months has said the proceeds would go toward city pension funds. Actually building a casino could take years, if the legislature passes a bill, but Plan B calls for quickly setting up setting up gambling at Chicago hotels or a temporary facility.
The deal puts off the proposed purchase by employee-owned CQ Holdings Inc., owner of the riverfront Casino Queen in East St. Louis, of the 90-year-old Fairmount Park racetrack in Collinsville. The group said it would buy the historic racetrack if legislation were passed allowing slots there and four other Illinois horse racetracks. Fairmount Park would operate as a subsidiary of the parent company and retain its existing management.
Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, said his members continue to oppose gambling expansion. “The market is already saturated. There’s not room for more casinos.”
