Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner recently nominated Don Tracy to be chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board, replacing Aaron Jaffe, a retired judge who had held the post since 2005. Rauner also nominated former state Senator Thomas Dunn to the board.
An attorney in Springfield and co-owner of Dot Foods, the nation’s largest food distributor, Tracy criticized the rapid expansion of gambling under Jaffe. Although he had supported the Republican ticket of former state Senator Kirk Dillard for governor and his sister, former state Rep. Jil Tracy for lieutenant governor in the March primary, in November Tracy backed Rauner and spent more than $120,000 from his own PAC money to air pro-Rauner ads during the campaign. “I don’t see my job on the gaming board to legislate. It’s to regulate. My only agenda would be fair, honest and efficient regulation,” Tracy said.
When he unsuccessfully ran as a Democrat for state senate in 2002, Tracy said he did not accept campaign contributions from gaming interests.
State legislators seem to be happy with Tracy’s appointment. State Senator Terry Link, who frequently clashed with Jaffe over gaming issues, said, “It was nothing against Jaffe as a person, but I think he should have wanted to work with us and basically not against us. I hope he will be open to new ideas.” State Rep. “I look forward to some new ideas and direction.”
Rauner said he chose Tracy because his “background as an attorney and business owner gives him the experience necessary to lead the board dealing with an important industry in Illinois.” Tracy said, “I did not ask for the job. I was asked to do it. I’m a fan obviously of Governor Rauner. I support his efforts to make Illinois great again.”
Dunn, a Joliet Democrat, said the nomination “came out of left field for me.” A state senator from 1972 to 1997, Dunn was instrumental in Joliet being the only city in the state to have two gaming licenses. Dunn left the legislature to become an associate judge in Will County, where he served until 2005.
Rauner said Dunn “brings a different perspective to the board.” He said he is interested in exploring the impact of video gambling on casinos. “I want to delve into that more. The problem is that it’s caused people in the casinos to be laid off, and that was not the original intent.”
The state senate must approve the two appointments, which do not pay a salary but cover expenses.
