Commission warns against gambling expansion

Commission warns against gambling expansion
By Times Staff

CHICAGO While the gambling expansion bill rests in legislative limbo, the Chicago Crime Commission is warning if it becomes law, political corruption and crime syndicate infiltration will follow.

The Illinois Senate voted, 30-27, on Tuesday to approve a plan for five new casinos and slot machines at horse racing tracks, Chicago's airports and state fairgrounds.

It is estimated the expansion would bring in $1.6 billion in one-time fees, as well as $500 million per year in revenue to the state.

Crime commission officials said in a written release lawmakers who supported the bill as a solution for the state's financial woes failed to calculate the cost to quality of life.

"I would caution the governor to think long and hard before he supports this legislation," said J.R. Davis, chairman and president of the Chicago Crime Commission. "It is beyond my comprehension that the Illinois legislature has passed this bill. I would strongly encourage a sober review by the governor and urge him to reject this dangerous legislation. If signed, this legislation, more than any other in my memory, would change the complexion and perception of the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois ... and not in a positive way.

The commission is a non-partisan, non-profit civic organization that has operated in the city for more than 90 years. It lists the fight against gambling expansion among its top priorities, along with combating gang, organized crime, public corruption and gun violence.

The group has expressed concerns the expansion bill dilutes the authority of the Illinois Gaming Board, an independent oversight board.

"The bill creates the Chicago Casino Development Authority, which usurps the power of the Illinois Gaming Board, an organization renowned for their ability and integrity," Davis said. "The move essentially puts Chicago gaming in untested and most likely politically connected hands. Moreover, the legislation sows the seeds for conflict of interest and political corruption at the Illinois Gaming Board by requiring that the appointment of the agency's executive director receive the consent of the Illinois Senate."

Quinn won't be taking action on the bill anytime soon. After passage, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton entered a motion to reconsider the vote.

The move actually stops the 30-day clock to deliver the bill to Quinn's desk, a clock that normally begins ticking after the vote. With the motion to reconsider in place, the bill will sit in the Senate until it meets again, which isn't until the October veto session.

That's time Cullerton's staff intends to use to talk with Quinn.

"We're working with the governor's office to better understand his intentions with this legislation," Cullerton's Press Secretary John Patterson said Thursday. "This is kind of a procedural move that allows us to have further discussions with the governor."