Illinois Republicans Push For Expanded Gambling

By Jerry Garner

Illinois House Republicans have proposed a $5 Billion budget for roads, schools and mass transportation. The money to cover the budget will come from an expansion of Illinois' casinos.

Expanding gambling in the State has not been a popular option in the past. But when compared to other options, such as increase sales tax or an increase on State income tax, offering more gambling in the State may be viewed as the most favorable option available.

House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) remains hopeful about the proposal's odds of approval. The State has been in desperate need for a Capital Construction Plan for years, to repair aging roads and bridges. Adding to his hopes are that both parties have already mentioned using more gambling to cover the costs of these projects.

"We haven't done an infrastructure bill in seven years," Cross said. "When you look at roads, schools and higher education issues, it's time to quit talking about it."

Cross continued on to explain that while not everyone has embraced the idea, nearly everyone is in agreement on the need for a capital plan, and that the money for this plan has to come from somewhere.

The last Capital Budget was the "Illinois FIRST" plan, which was passed in 1999 during the early days of Gov. George Ryan's term. More recently, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has proposed multiple Capital Plans; all of which have failed to gain the approval of State Lawmakers.

A spokesperson for Governor Blagojevich, Abby Ottenhoff, stated that the Governor is open to considering any proposal put forth by the State Legislation.

"But it's ironic that these are the very legislators who stopped the governor from passing any capital plans for the last four years," Ottenhoff continued.

Throughout his first term, Governor Blagojevich has pushed several plans to fund school construction and various public works projects. None of these plans received proper support to be passed. House Republicans held up his most recent proposal, stating that there was not adequate funding to complete it. The Governor suggested that the State could add a keno lottery game to pay for the plan, but was ultimately forced to drop the idea.

The new plan proposed by the GOP would provide a budget of $3 Billion for purposes of road construction and mass transit projects. An additional $1.5 Billion would be applied to construction costs for schools in the State, and another $500 Million would go to various Universities and Community Colleges. The money required to pay for this plan would be derived purely from an expansion of available gambling at the casinos in Illinois.

"I understand that this does not expand gambling locations, but it would expand the positions," said Rep. Jil Tracy (R-Mount Sterling).

Tracy said that the plan is both vital and long overdue, even if an expansion of gambling is not her favorite source of funding.

Under the plan, casinos in Illinois can expand capacity on their gaming floors to include 6,000 new gaming positions, in addition to the 10,000 positions currently used at Illinois casinos. Casinos would pay $500 Million in up-front fees for the expanded capacity. Taxes and fees would continue to generate $450 Million per year from the expansion. Under the GOP Plan, casinos would need to supply the state with an additional $400 Million per year for 20 years in order to pay off construction loans for the projects.