Deadline Coming For Action By Quinn On Gambling Bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- The deadline is nearing for Gov. Pat Quinn to act on the state's gambling expansion bill.
As WBBM Newsradio's Bob Conway reports, Quinn says he will use this coming weekend to make a final decision on the bill, which calls for five new casinos – including a land-based facility within the city of Chicago – and slot machines at the state's racetracks.
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Illinois' 10 existing casinos could also expand under the bill.
Tuesday is the deadline, and the governor can veto the bill outright, sign it, or suggest changes. If he does nothing, the bill automatically becomes law.
Quinn tells the Chicago Tribune his staff has been going through the legislation line by line, and while he wouldn't say specifically what he objects to, in the past he has raised concerns about gambling industry oversight and assurances of some of the new gambling revenue going to education.
Quinn said back in July that he would not sign the bill as it stood.
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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