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Illinois Gaming Adviser Under Scrutiny

ILLINOIS – As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times: "Gov. Blagojevich's top adviser on gambling policy wagered hundreds of thousands of dollars at Illinois casinos run by people he later dealt with on the governor's behalf, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.

"Christopher G. Kelly's other interests include raising and donating money for Blagojevich's campaign efforts, and doing the same for a Chicago alderman whose brother, a city employee, helps determine how much Kelly's roofing company and affiliated firms earn at O'Hare Airport.

"…State Senate Republicans want Kelly and other unpaid Blagojevich advisers to make their financial dealings public to cast light on his `shadow government.'

"This push comes as a deal Kelly helped craft to get the state's 10th casino license running is being weighed.

"…As for Kelly's relationship with gaming companies and O'Hare players, Blagojevich points out that, as governor, he has led the charge to hike casino taxes, and that Kelly isn't his lone gambling adviser.

"…Blagojevich calls Kelly, 45, `a friend who I trust . . . a very smart, very effective person.'

"He saw no problem in naming his top fund-raiser to an unofficial post as gambling liaison in January because he didn't accept contributions directly from the casino industry -- though records show $2,500 in contributions from a group tied to GOP power broker William Cellini, whose Argosy Gaming operates in Joliet and Alton.

"Kelly, a Frankfort resident, was a key player in several behind-the-scenes meetings aimed at bringing Emerald and state Gaming Board negotiators together on a deal to auction the lucrative 10th license. Kelly also spoke with casino companies about the effect increased casino taxes here might have.

"…While there's no evidence of anything illegal, Kelly illustrates just how cozy politics remain in Illinois…"

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