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Senate President: Illinois Governor Supports Casinos

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times: "SPRINGFIELD -- Senate President Emil Jones said Monday he has Gov. Blagojevich's support for a Chicago-owned casino, but the governor kept his cards close to the vest by refusing to publicly embrace Mayor Daley's gambling initiative.

"Gambling and the governor's posture toward it were the chief items of intrigue as the Legislature's fall session opened.

"Jones (D-Chicago) said he intends to move forward with a casino package possibly this week, but House Speaker Michael Madigan signaled he may keep Jones' plan bottled up unless the governor first publicly commits to it.

"…The Senate leader was still crafting a package that is expected to include casinos for Chicago, the south suburbs, Waukegan and possibly Rockford. It could surface for a committee vote by Wednesday.

"…In Chicago, the mayor made his most vocal pitch yet for the governor to get off the dime on the casino proposal. The mayor said if the plan ever is to take flight, the state's leaders -- and Blagojevich specifically -- must sound their approval…"

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