Lame-Duck Session Could Expand Exploitation

Chicago, long known for its sleazy politics, political corruption appears poised to perpetuate its reputation and fail to adopt sensible fiscal policy in a lame-duck session.

Legislators set to bet on gambling expansion
Lame-duck session next month could see push for Chicago casino, more

State lawmakers are quietly exploring how to push through a major gambling expansion during next month's fall session, the political safety zone that will open and shut over a few weeks following Tuesday's election.

The details are evolving, but one version would put a land-based casino in Chicago and new riverboats in Lake County, the south suburbs and downstate Danville. Horse tracks would get video gambling to create "racinos," and existing riverboats would be allowed to expand. Supporters are dangling the prospect of more than $400 million upfront and hundreds of millions more as the casinos come online for a state that can't pay its bills.

Slipping through big-ticket items during lame-duck sessions is nothing new in Illinois. In the past, lawmakers have raised their pay, legalized off-track betting and cut a deal to rebuild Soldier Field into its current saucerlike shape. Legislators who aren't returning have little to lose in casting controversial votes, creating a deal-making atmosphere inside the Capitol.