Illinois Feeding Frenzy About to Begin

"Crew" About To Descend On Springfield To Lobby On Gaming Bill

As Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan says it, "a big crew" of lobbyists and other interested individuals will descend on state capital Springfield Monday, Jan. 3, to advocate for and against major legislation dealing with everything from workmen's compensation to an income tax hike.

Right at the top of the heap of proposals is the massive gambling package that calls for five new casinos in the state---including one in Chicago---and gaming devices such as slot machines at the state's six horse race tracks. Des Plaines' interest in the legislation is enormous because around July or August Illinois' 10th licensed riverboat casino is scheduled to open on River Road near Devon Avenue. Should all or a major part of the proposed gaming expansion bill pass, it could have a profound effect on the amount of annual income the Des Plaines casino generates for the city and the operation's owner, Midwest Gaming and Entertainment, LLC. Should more casinos and "racinos" be added, Moylan and Midwest believes it will dilute the annual revenue the Des Plaines casino and the other nine casinos in Illinois generate by millions of dollars per year.

In November, the Illinois Senate passed the huge gaming expansion bill as proposed by State Senator Terry Link of Vernon Hills. Now the measure moves on to the Illinois House where a vote on the matter needs to be taken before the new General Assembly is sworn in to office in about a week. If the bill isn't acted on, legislators will have to introduce new legislation after the new officials are sworn in to office if they want to pursue gaming expansion.

The Illinois Feeding Frenzy is about to begin.

Instead of sound fiscal policies to re-build a sustainable economic base, lawmakers seek the false solution of expanded gambling on which to expand the House of Cards they've constructed.

Careful! There aren't many discretionary dollars left to suck from the pockets of the poor!


My apologies to the vultures who feed to survive, unlike the Casino Vultures who feed their own greed, to the detriment of taxpayers.