Illinois lawmakers have again approved a massive gambling-expansion plan. The Senate voted 30-26 yesterday in favor of a proposal that creates five new casinos, a land-based site in Chicago and four more riverboat casinos.
It also allows the first-ever slot machines at horse racing tracks. That ailing industry wants additional opportunities to bring in gambling dollars. The bill could produce at least $300 million in tax revenue for the state annually. The Legislature adopted a similar measure last year but because Governor Pat Quinn said he'd veto it, lawmakers didn’t sent it. Quinn has frowned on this version too but lawmakers say they’ve added safeguards the governor suggested.
