Religious Leaders Oppose Casino, Gambing Expansion
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- A coalition of Christian, Jewish and secular activists is urging Chicago and Illinois lawmakers to resist any effort to expand gambling in Illinois.
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They're specifically opposing Senate Bill 3950 which would put a casino in Chicago and four other Illinois cities, plus thousands of slots at Midway and O"Hare.
The Rev. Phillip Blackwell, pastor at First United Methodist Church in downtown Chicago, says the pleasant visions of tax revenues to come never consider the costs of homes lost, families broken and jobs lost to gambling.
The Rev. Tom Grey, adviser to "Stop Predatory Gambling," says it's clear Chicago doesn't need to follow in the foot steps of Detroit, East Saint Louis, Las Vegas and Atlantic City which are finding the promise of gambling never lives up to the reality.
