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Illinois Gaming Chair Stands by Decision

ILLINOIS – As reported by the Chicago Tribune: "Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Elzie Higginbottom said Wednesday that he has no intention of backing down from a decision to award a casino to Rosemont, adding that he and other board members were fully briefed on allegations of mob ties that hung over the suburb but thought the riverboat could be insulated from them.

"Making his first in-depth comments since Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan demanded a public explanation by the board of its actions, Higginbottom said he would elaborate at a meeting Thursday on his reasons for favoring the $518 million Rosemont proposal made by Mississippi-based Isle of Capri Casinos.

"But in an interview Higginbottom made it clear that he saw nothing to indicate that Isle of Capri could be sullied by organized crime. And he questioned why Madigan waited until after the board acted to level allegations that Rosemont Mayor Donald Stephens had extensive business and personal ties to mobsters.

"The 4-1 board vote March 15 favoring Isle of Capri led to complaints from Madigan and Rosemont critics, who pointed out that the board ignored its staff recommendations that the license go to Des Plaines…"

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