Lawmakers Say Revision To Gambling Bill Will Please Everyone
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- Illinois lawmakers say they have crafted a revision to the expanded gambling proposal that will please everyone, but Gov. Pat Quinn says that's all news to him.
As WBBM Newsradio's Alex Degman reports, gambling proponents won't say specifically what they have planned, opting to introduce it a few weeks from now during the fall veto session.
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Quinn says he is eager to hear what the new proposals are.
"A lot of legislators come in my office; they have ideas," says Quinn. "But if they have ideas and they want to put them in a bill, or some other bill, I'm anxious to see them. I haven't seen anything specific."
Taking questions at a news conference in downstate Decatur, Quinn said he is concerned about several flaws in the bill, including a lack of oversight and a lack of revenue directed toward education, which he says is why the Illinois Lottery was introduced in the first place.
"We will, this month, lay out some principles so legislators know, crystal clear, what the standards are. We're not going to have any more gambling in Illinois, especially in Chicago, unless there is strong oversight that ensures integrity 100 percent of the time," Quinn said.
The bill would bring casinos to the city of Chicago, Lake County, the southern suburbs, Rockford and Danville. It would also allow slot machines at racetracks and at O'Hare and Midway international airports.
Quinn supports a Chicago casino, but not without the extreme oversight for which he has called.
