Senate approves new casinos for Chicago, Waukegan, two other cities but prospects doubtful in House

SPRINGFIELD---The Democratic-led Senate voted late tonight to expand the state's casino industry into Chicago and three other cities, though the idea is far from becoming reality.

The 30-28 vote sends the measure to the Illinois House, where Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) had expressed reservations about approving a casino expansion this spring.
The General Assembly earlier this month approved a major expansion of gambling by legalizing video poker at bars, restaurants and truck stops.

The riverboat gambling measure, sponsored Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan), would allow Chicago to have a land-based casino and Waukegan, Rockford and Danville to get new boats.

Link added Danville to the legislation following a previous roll call that fell two votes short.

Democratic Sen. Michael Frerichs, whose district includes the Danville area, said he looks forward to drawing Indiana residents into Illinois. "The best dollars we could raise in our state are Hoosier dollars," Frerichs said.

Nine riverboat operators have boats on the water in Illinois, but proponents argued Indiana and Wisconsin are luring Illinois players' dollars across state borders.

Source: The Chicago Tribune

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