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Illinois Gaming Board Pressures Attorney General

ILLINOIS – As reported by the Chicago Tribune: "Trying to pressure Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan to quickly decide if a settlement can be reached with the bankrupt Emerald Casino, the chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board sent a stinging letter to Madigan on Friday contending that inaction has cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

"The letter from Chairman Elzie Higginbottom follows months of negotiations between Madigan and officials of the bankrupt Emerald after the attorney general rejected a proposed settlement in May.

"…Higginbottom's letter, acquired Friday, is the clearest indication that the board is growing impatient. In his letter, Higginbottom `implores' Madigan to make a decision so the license held by Emerald can be sold.

"…Higginbottom also contended that members of the Gaming Board and staff have been frozen out of negotiations by Madigan's office, and cautioned such a move could compromise the board's ability to mete out discipline in future cases.

"The letter was copied to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is depending on an estimated $350 million from the sale of the riverboat license to help balance the budget for this fiscal year.

"…On Friday, Madigan spokeswoman Melissa Merz maintained the attorney general seeks to restore integrity to riverboat gambling in Illinois and `will not be rushed into giving her approval until she is certain an agreement is truly in the best interests of the people, not gaming interests.'…"

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