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Lobbyists Win in Casino Gamble

ILLINOIS – As reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "The Ho-Chunk tribe is clearly facing long odds in its bid to place a mammoth casino complex in a Chicago suburb. The smart money says it won't happen.

"But one thing is a sure bet:

"The lobbyists will rake in big bucks off the proposal.

"Already, the Wisconsin-based tribe has hired former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to help navigate the political terrain in the flatlands. Also, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who represents the district where the casino would be located, is carrying water for the project in Congress.

"…In D.C., the tribe has two Italian suits on its payroll - one of whom, Bruce Gates, is a Repub and the second, Dick Meltzer, a Dem. Both work for Washington Counsel Ernst & Young, one of the largest lobbying shops in the nation's capital.

"…But these heavy-hitters have their work cut out for them. For one thing, only three off-reservation casinos have been approved in the entire country - and in each one, the tribe remained in its home state, said Bureau of Indian Affairs spokeswoman Nedra Darling…"

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