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Illinois Senate Procceds with Gambling Hearings

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – As reported by the Chicago Daily Herald: "In the latest sign of growing tension between lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the Illinois Senate is moving ahead with hearings on sweeping gambling plans des pite the governor's threatened veto.

"The proposal would put casinos in Chicago, Waukegan, Rockford and the south suburbs. The Grand Victoria in Elgin and other existing riverboats could install more slot machines, and Arlington Park and other horse tracks would get slot machines.

"Blagojevich on Tuesday rejected the plan, saying he'd veto a Chicago casino and wasn't keen on any new gambling. The move put him at odds with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a Chicago Democrat, who both endorse the plan.

"…'This idea - that it's my way or the highway - doesn't sit very well with legislators,' said state Sen. Denny Jacobs, an East Moline Democrat who joined the Illinois Senate in 1986 and sponsored the law that first brought riverboat gambling to the state.

"…Other veteran Democrats said a Senate vote on the gambling plan could come early next week. There is growing support to go ahead and put the plan on the governor's desk and force him to follow through with a veto of a proposal that would raise $1.4 billion from the sale of the casino licenses alone…"

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