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Casino-Closing Proposal Sinking

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – As reported by the Telegraph: "A bipartisan group of state senators is expressing opposition to a House bill that calls for closing Illinois' riverboat casinos -- a proposal that looks all but scuttled for the time being.

"State Sens. William Haine, D-Alton, and James Clayborne, D-Belleville, among others, took part in a news conference at the state Capitol in Springfield. The lawmakers said they hoped to defeat House Bill 1920, which passed last Thursday in the House. It would repeal the state's Riverboat Gambling Act, which authorizes casino gaming in Illinois.

"The bill was referred Wednesday to the Senate Rules Committee, which had not taken any action on it late Thursday. The Illinois General Assembly's fall veto session has been extended through today.

"The Senate sponsor of the abolition legislation, John Cullerton, D-Chicago, on Wednesday told reporters he had no intention of calling the measure during the veto session. He said he was holding the bill until he could talk with House leaders about replacing the $700 million the state would lose annually if lawmakers banned riverboat gambling.

"Haine said he believed the chances of HB 1920 even being passed out of the Rules Committee were 'slim to none.'

"…House Speaker Michael Madigan pushed the legislation last week but said afterward that closing the lucrative gaming industry was not his real goal. Madigan, D-Chicago, said the measure could be used as an opportunity to re-examine how the state grants casino licenses. He said the state should auction licenses to ensure "maximum benefit to the people of Illinois…"

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