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Governor: Chicago Doesn't Need Casino for Convention Business

CHICAGO, Illinois – As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times: "Chicago doesn't need a casino to compete with Las Vegas for conventions and trade shows, provided McCormick Place unions agree to another round of cost-cutting concessions and pass the savings along to exhibitors, Gov. Blagojevich said Thursday.

"The governor reaffirmed his opposition to the Chicago casino championed by Mayor Daley after the two powerful Democrats jawboned business and labor at McCormick Place to cut costs to fend off hard-charging convention competitors like Las Vegas, Orlando and Atlanta.

"…Eager to fill its casinos with gamblers, Las Vegas is willing to virtually give away hotel rooms and convention floor space. Without a casino, there is no way Chicago can compete with those generous giveaways.

"But Daley's chief labor negotiator Jim Franczek said, 'We can do better -- and we need to do better in order to remain competitive -- on a whole host of issues, which includes the work rules.'

"…Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon said McCormick Place unions are willing to do their part to cut costs, just as they did six years ago when they agreed to cut jurisdictions and overtime, enforce a dress code at convention sites and allow small exhibitors to put up and take down their own booths in exchange for a no-layoff guarantee…"

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