US: Lawmaker kicks off new campaign for Chicago casino

Even better for proponents, Governor Pat Quinn has hinted that the latest version comes closer to what he wants than earlier bills that he blocked. But despite that, the proposal still faces long odds of clearing the Illinois General Assembly this spring, even though both the city and state badly need the additional revenue the casino might generate. A Chicago casino could feature up to 10,000 gambling positions, much larger than Rivers Casino in northwest suburban Des Plaines, which is licensed for just 1,200 gambling positions.

The latest proposal - in two parts - comes from state Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, who has taken over sponsorship of casino legislation from Skokie Democrat Lou Lang, who recently walked away from the issue after years of frustration.

One version of the measure, an amendment to SB 1739, would authorize five new casinos in downtown Chicago, the south suburbs and in or near Danville, Rockford and Waukegan. The measure also would authorize slot machines at racetracks and guarantee horsemen a cut of the take from casinos. That's the "Big Bill" approach Mr. Lang had followed in an effort to provide something of value to a multitude of Springfield interest groups.

But it's Mr. Rita's other version, contained in another amendment to SB 1739, that may have the most potential. That measure would authorize only a Chicago casino. But instead of being owned by the city as former Mayor Richard M. Daley used to insist, the casino license would be retained by the state, with the city and state splitting the proceeds 50/50.

Rita's amendment also would let the state gaming board — not City Hall — select the company that actually would operate the casino and would subject all casino operations to direct gaming board review. Both of those are concessions to Mr. Quinn, who has insisted on tightened limits on campaign contributions and other ethical standards that Mr. Rita says he's included in the bill. "I addressed everything" Quinn has wanted, Mr. Rita said. And by putting half of the proceeds into the state treasury, "everyone in the state would benefit."

Revenue generator

Quinn indeed long had demanded that lawmakers first enact comprehensive pension reform, and they've now done just that. "Basically the gaming board is a good regulator and they've figured out bad things in the existing casinos," Mr. Quinn's press office quotes him as recently saying. "Chicago wanted to regulate itself. I think they've pretty much given that up and they understand the gaming board will call the shots. That's principle number one.”