 Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter! Related Links
|
Gaming News
Gov Reneges on Pledge, Takes Gambling Money15 November 2004CHICAGO -- As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times: "Gov. Blagojevich pledged during his campaign that he wouldn't take contributions from gambling interests, according to a survey that bears his signature. "But nearly two years into his term, Blagojevich has accepted nearly $250,000 in cash and free air travel from the horse-racing industry -- a sum that raises questions about where his flirtation with gambling as a fix for the state's cash woes might lead. "After building some steam, legislation to create a Chicago casino license, two more casinos and provide at least $100 million in subsidies to horse racing hit a wall in Springfield last week. "...So far, the hundreds of thousands of dollars track owners and horsemen have given Blagojevich and other state lawmakers hasn't sparked the Legislature to allow slot machines at tracks. "Blagojevich on Feb. 17, 2002, signed a survey from ILLCAP, Illinois Church Action on Alcohol Problems. The question above his signature on the one-page document reads "Will you accept campaign contributions from gambling interests?" Blagojevich -- or someone from his campaign -- circled "No." "Blagojevich said that pledge is broader than what he intended because he draws a distinction between the "outdoor, pastoral, historic" flavor of horse racing, and the calculated, house-wins-most-bets nature of casinos..." |