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Illinois Gaming Board Member Hints at Bullying

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times: "An Illinois Gaming Board member Thursday implied strongly a former gambling adviser for Gov. Blagojevich threatened to remove members of the casino regulation body if they didn't go along with the governor's strategy to get the state's 10th casino license up and running in 2003.

"The governor's office denied that Chris Kelly, who also is Blagojevich's political fund-raising chief, ever exerted pressure regarding the license, which remains dormant as state and federal judges sort out several issues entangling it.

"But Gaming Board members testifying at a House Gaming Committee hearing also accused Blagojevich of big-footing them on other matters, saying state contracts they didn't want were paid out of their budget, and employees were hired without their knowledge.

"…While Blagojevich has stressed he has never attempted to influence the board's decision on the 10th license, Kelly's involvement raised questions because of his business relationship with a casino investor who potentially stands to gain if the issues surrounding it can be resolved.

"…Illinois Gaming Board member William Dugan took aim at Kelly on Thursday, raising a new allegation that Kelly was trying to bully the board when he was serving as Blagojevich's unpaid adviser on gambling policy in 2003.

"…Dugan's words riled state lawmakers at the hearing to assess how Blagojevich's failure to fill Gaming Board vacancies has hurt the state's economic well-being. The five-member panel needs at least three members to take votes, but it has had only two members since summer…"

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