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Illinois Anti-Gambling Group Aims to Block Bill

ILLINOIS – As reported by the PJ Star: "Anti-gambling advocates hope to block a bill going through the General Assembly that could allow many charities to operate raffles without some legal restrictions now part of state law.

"The bill initially was designed to help St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis - a charity with an affiliate in Peoria and with many prominent Illinois advocates.

"HB4283 was designed originally to allow statewide raffles like the $100-a-ticket home giveaway St. Jude already is conducting in Illinois. It would exempt a not-for-profit children's research hospital from existing requirements that require local raffle licenses from counties or municipalities in which the raffles are conducted.

"..But Anita Bedell of Springfield, executive director of the anti-gambling Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems, said the bill would expand unregulated gambling.

"…Bedell also opposed the bill for St. Jude alone.

"…Kathy Gilroy of Villa Park, a volunteer with the Northern Illinois Anti-Gambling Task Force, has raised questions about the legality of St. Jude's house raffle. The home is being built in the Lake County town of Volo.

"Under current state law, raffle licenses must show limits on the aggregate value of all prizes and on the maximum value of each prize, as well as the maximum value of each ticket.

"The Volo ordinance sets a top ticket price of $100, but does not limit the value of prizes…"

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