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Quinn Says He Won't Be Signing Latest Gambling Bill

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Members of the Illinois General Assembly trying to make a deal with Gov. Pat Quinn over the latest gambling expansion bill have promised him they will pass an ethics ordinance this fall if he will just sign the bill.

But as WBBM Newsradio's David Roe reports, Quinn says he will not sign the bill.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's David Roe reports

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The bill would create five new casinos, including a land-based facility within the Chicago city limits with enough capacity for 4,000 gamblers. It would also allow horse track operators to install slot machines at their tracks.

There would also be casinos in Danville, Park City, Rockford and an undecided location in the south suburbs. Each would have 1,600 gambling positions.

Illinois' 10 existing casinos could also expand under the bill.

As quoted by the Chicago Tribune, Quinn says the bill lacks "tough oversight that's no nonsense" and that would, "make sure that we don't get the wrong characters involved in gambling in the state of Illinois, particularly Chicago.

Quinn says any gambling bill would have to ban campaign contributions from gambling interests, give state regulators more time to properly vet new licenses and provide proper oversight of a Chicago casino, which would operate independently.

Both houses of the Illinois General Assembly passed a similar bill last year, but never sent it to Gov. Pat Quinn, knowing he would veto it.

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