Politics & Government
No Slot Machines at Arlington Park for Now, Gambling Expansion Revisited in Fall
Gambling expansion bill sponsor said too many issues made it impossible to pass it in the Illinois general assembly spring session. The present bill would allow casinos in Chicago and other areas around the state, the Chicago Tribune reports.
A gambling expansion bill that would have allowed slot machines at Illinois horse racing tracks, casinos in Chicago, the south suburbs, in Lake County, Rockford and Danville will not move forward in the Illinois General Assembly's spring session, the Chicago Tribune reports.
The bill's sponsor, Bill Rita (D-Blue Island) said a number of issues have caused him to instead plan on passing it in the fall session, the paper reported.
In May, Arlington Race Track took steps to encourage Illinois residents to contact their state representatives and senators and express support for the Chicago Casino Development bill.
On the race track's website, it stated, "this bill will save Illinois horse racing, create new jobs and provide needed revenue to the state."
Governor Pat Quinn has vetoed two previous gambling expansion bills, and the Chicago Tribune reports he said he will not sign a new version, unless comprehensive pension reform is addressed as well by the Illinois legislature.
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