Illinois: Barreling toward disaster

The folly of Illinois' lame duck legislators believing that the tornado of fiscal disaster barreling toward them can be magically solved by sucking more discretionary income from the local economy by expanding gambling is simply breathtaking.

The bill was packed with enough goodies to salve the protests of existing licensees, such as Neil Bluhm, who re-bid on what he believed was the last available license.

...if the General Assembly passes a major
gambling expansion bill as early
as this week, 11 more facilities
could open right behind his.
In fact, his casino could be
ringed by five new competitors within
30 miles.

To avoid any of that pesky local control, not to worry!
It was carefully removed!

The bill also grants casinos and racetracks
an exemption to home rule. That
means that Churchill Downs Inc.,
Arlington Park's owner, would not have to
go to the Arlington Heights Village Board
for approval to add slots at the track.

"Home rule should not be usurped," said
Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder.