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* WBEZ took a look at where the new casinos would be if Gov. Pat Quinn signs the gaming expansion bill…
If all goes according to plan, 22 gaming facilities would be within 90 minutes of downtown Chicago. That includes all existing casinos, new riverboats, the Chicago casino, the slot machines at racetracks and airports, as well as casinos in Milwaukee, Northwest Indiana and New Buffalo.
As noted in the piece, the station included Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan casinos in its total. The resulting map…
* Chicagoist ran a response entitled “Quinn’s ‘Las Vegas of the Midwest’ Talk May Not Be Hyperbole”…
Gov. Quinn has repeatedly stated that he’s open to the idea of a Chicago casino yet feels the state legislature’s move to expand gambling in Illinois is too “top-heavy.” Quinn has been quoted as saying he doesn’t want to see Illinois become the “Las Vegas of the Midwest.” […]
Looks like Quinn wasn’t merely saying “the sky is falling” just to say it, eh?
* I did a Google Maps search of Las Vegas for “casinos.” This is what came back…
I’m thinking the governor’s rhetoric is just a bit hyperbolic.
…Adding… Steve Schnorf makes a good point in comments…
I’m glad I wasn’t riding with the WBEZ crew the day they made it to Danville in 90 minutes.
According to Google Maps, it’s a minimum 2 hours, 47 minute drive from Chicago to Danville.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 11:50 am
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I’m not a fan of casinos, but I agree with you about the hyperbole.
Comment by Downstate Illinois Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 11:53 am
In terms of casino/gaming density, where are we compared to other cities NOT Vegas or Atlantic City?
Comment by John Bambenek Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 11:56 am
You’d have to define “we.” Do you mean Chicago metro area? How far do you extend that out? Do you mean Illinois?
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 11:58 am
I’m glad I wasn’t riding with the WBEZ crew the day they made it to Danville in 90 minutes.
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:02 pm
ha - great map comparison, Rich!
I think quinn and other politicians feel like they have to say “I don’t like gambling, don’t want us to become a gambling mecca, don’t want to have to do this” before they expand gambling to help balance the budget. I wish a legislator would say “Hey, I like gambling!”
Comment by Robert Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:02 pm
Calling Quinn “hyperbolic” is the most glacactically incredible thing I have ever heard in my entire life…
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:03 pm
“I’m thinking the governor’s rhetoric is just a bit hyperbolic.”
Great call Rich, Also a great adjective to describe much of our esteemed Governor’s communications.
Comment by downstate hack Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:03 pm
downstate hack,
Yewwww, great QOTD.
“In one word, describe Pat Quinn’s method of communications. Explain your answer.”
How many synonyms are there for confused?
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:12 pm
Of coarse this is all hyperbole. Illinois can’t possibly become the “Las Vegas of the Midwest.” At least not unless Sheriff Dart stops his crusade against prostitution.
Comment by I don't want to know, I already gave up Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:17 pm
John, try Biloxi, use WBEZ perception of 90 miles, factor in population density—close to the same for St Louis, esp regarding pop density
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:38 pm
Fair enough, was genuinely curious (and was thinking Chicago metro).
Comment by John Bambenek Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:42 pm
We would indeed be the Las Vegas “of the Midwest”, just as Atlantic City is the Las Vegas “of the East Coast”, Tunica is the Las Vegas “of the South” and Las Vegas is the Las Vegas “of the West.”
Ironically, Las Vegas was The Chicago of the 20th Century.
At the end of the 19th Century, Chicago was the most populous city founded in that era.
Las Vegas holds that distinction for the 20th century.
We were also known as a pretty sinful place 100 years ago.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:46 pm
Dog, I think I count about 20 within 90 miles of Vicksburg, population bupkis
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:55 pm
Poor Governor incompetent, he just cant get out of his own way. If he messes with Rahm’s casino bill in any fashion he will truly become Mr. Irrelevant>>>>>>>>>>>
Comment by MJMspksman Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 12:58 pm
Quinn’s blatant exaggerations aside, a significantly increased reliance on gambling is very problematic, for a few reasons that are not groundbreaking.
1. We’ve seen the impact that relying on casino revenue entails, both here and in more gambling-heavy areas of the country. And it’s not pretty. IMO, it’s an industry way too sensitive to broader economic performance for us to rely on this as a silver bullet.
2. Somewhat relatedly, I’m not at all convinced that the revenue projections aren’t wildly optimistic. I’d like to see some reasonable data indicating Chicago-area and IL residents are willing and able to support such an expansion, and/or we will attract a sufficient number of tourists that can meet the supply.
3. The gambling industry is more susceptible to criminal involvement, and I’m thoroughly unconvinced that adequate security and regulation have been priced into the proposal.
Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 1:11 pm
===rely on this as a silver bullet===
It’s not being used as such on the state level. Capital projects and past-due bills.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 1:12 pm
===We would indeed be the Las Vegas “of the Midwest”===
Schnorf’s point about Missouri would seem to contradict that. Very concentrated there.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 1:27 pm
And Tunica would be the Las Vegas of only northwestern Mississippi; Vicksburg would be the Las Vegas of west central Mississippi.
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 1:44 pm
Chi to Danville in 90 minutes is post High-speed rail
Comment by SAP Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 1:47 pm
Steve Schnorf,
I heard that Rich’s house is the Las Vegas of Springfield one Friday night a month, one dollar ante. That true Rich?
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 1:49 pm
==We were also known as a pretty sinful place 100 years ago.==
Do not worry. You are holding your own.
Comment by Bigtwich Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 2:02 pm
The IL map misses several locations:
Existing: Elgin, Aurora, Joliet (2), Hammond, East Chicago, Gary, Michigan City; Des Plaines under construction
New in SB0744: Park City, Rockford, Danville; Racinos in Arlington Heights, Maywood, Cicero, SE Will County.
But comparing to LV is quite exaggerated.
Comment by Marty Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 2:02 pm
We were somewhere around Danville on the edge of Illinois when the drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like “I feel a bit lightheaded; maybe you should drive…” And suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of what looked like huge bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the car, which was going about a hundred miles an hour with the top down to Joliet. And a voice was screaming: “Holy Jesus! What are these animals?”
Comment by L.S. Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 2:04 pm
For purposes of clarification, please confirm that you are ascribing the “goof point” to WBEZ rather than to Schnorf.
Comment by Quinn T. Srntial Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 2:46 pm
LOL, thanks, QTS. Didn’t even notice that. Fixed.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 2:49 pm
Rich, Google maps are for wusses.
Google also says the State Capitol is 3 hours and 33 minutes from the WBEZ studios, but I’d venture to say that a signficant portion of your readers — especially those with M, U, and leg plates — have done it an hour faster, especially on those early morning/late night bombing runs.
New Poll or Q of the day?
Comment by vibes Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 2:55 pm
What about video poker?
If video poker is upheld by the Supreme Court and Quinn signs this bill we’re talking about going from the current 12,000 positions to 100,000 plus positions total.
Map that one out!
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 4:24 pm
Glad to see that others think Pat may be right on this issue…it’s a lousy way to generate revenue…it comes at a very high cost to families and society in general…
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jun 7, 11 @ 7:21 pm
All politicians are bombastic. There’s always some exageration.
But if video poker is upheld Illinois will become the largest video poker jurisdiction in the world. Bigger than Louisiana and Washington state.
Add all the new casinos, racinos, and Chicago to the mix and yes, Rich, we’ll have gambling everywhere.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 8, 11 @ 7:14 am