Illinois
Votes to Abolish Casinos
As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times:
"Aiming at an industry that is 'broke,'
House Democrats voted overwhelmingly Thursday
to abolish casino gambling -- a move that could
end talk of gambling expansion and bolster the
political fortunes of socially conservative,
Downstate Democrats.
"The surprise
development came on a busy legislative day that
also featured a defeat for Gov. Blagojevich
on gun legislation, but victory for him with
final passage of his children's health insurance
plan.
"The
plan to dismantle the state's casino industry
passed the House 67-42. It likely will be blocked
by the Senate, where Senate President Emil Jones
(D-Chicago), an ardent supporter of new casinos,
branded the proposal "irresponsible."
"House
Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), who played
a key role in allowing a House vote, said riverboat
gambling as an Illinois institution is 'broke'
and needs retooling.
"…Madigan
also said if the proposal passes the Senate
and is signed by Blagojevich, any new attempt
to authorize casino gambling should involve
auctioning off casino licenses 'to ensure maximum
benefit to the people of Illinois.'
"Jones,
who has openly and repeatedly advocated casino
expansion as a way to fill empty state coffers,
quickly expressed his disdain for the House
vote, which he said could cost public education
dearly…"
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