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The annual ritual of gauging casino prospects in Waukegan has taken on a different context with a new occupant in the Governor’s Mansion, and Mayor Wayne Motley told the City Council on Monday that he recently fielded an optimistic report from Bruce Rauner himself.
“I met with the governor on Friday,” Motley said, “and he’s not opposed to a casino in Waukegan.
“I suspect that if (a bill) doesn’t come out of the House this spring, it will come out in the veto session in November,” added Motley, expressing confidence the plan would include a Lake County location. […]
During the 2014 election cycle, Rauner offered mixed sentiments on gaming expansion, telling the Associated Press in a campaign interview that “I don’t gamble. I don’t like gambling. (It) can be an addictive thing and it can hurt families that can’t afford to be hurt.”
However, he added that “if voters and municipalities would like to see more gaming, I will be supportive of that. There’s a point at which you’re maximizing the revenue. … If you have a slot machine on every corner pretty soon there’s not as much revenue and the casinos aren’t making money, nobody’s profitable anymore and the system shrinks back down.”
The last time I checked, there had been zero behind the scenes movement on a casino. They have other big things on their plate right now.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 12:53 pm
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I am not a fan of casinos generally, but if they would spend ALL the proceeds on funding pensions, then I could support it.
Comment by Scotty in Chicago Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 1:02 pm
==(It) can be an addictive thing and it can hurt families that can’t afford to be hurt.”==
Is he talking about gambling or his proposed budget??
Comment by exbricklayer Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 1:18 pm
Sounds good. While we’re at it, let’s put slots at the tracks.
Comment by Roamin' Numeral Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 1:18 pm
It looks like we don’t care about keeping jobs that we currently have at the race tracks plus all the jobs that it affects. We are talking about drivers, jockeys, trainers, owners, people who care for the horses, blacksmiths, vets, farmers that provide hay and straw, tellers, security, people who work at the track and on the backstretch, concessions, businesses that sell the products, etc. So maybe through it all and including all the tracks we could be talking about 40,000 jobs being save if we allowed slots at the tracks. Worth a try! Lets put the gambling bill at the forefront and maybe we can save the county fairs and pour money into education or the infrastructure!
Comment by Coach Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 1:26 pm
See Rich I see saving 40,000 jobs as being a big thing on the plate especially if you are one of the 40,000 people that are currently working!
Comment by Coach Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 1:28 pm
Just wondering ??? Who are the people that mostly partake in the gambling at casinos, therefore contributing to state revenue? I know the simple answer is “people that like to gamble” but I was wondering if there are any other characteristics?
Comment by forwhatitsworth Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 1:44 pm
Racetrack owners need slots to support their horse racing habit?
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 1:47 pm
===, but if they would spend ALL the proceeds on funding pensions, then I could support it.====
While I 100% support expanding gaming the problem is going to be how to spend the money. A lot of different issues split up the pie last time to get votes. But with the billions in cuts already being proposed throwing this red meat on the table now is not going to happen. Not until they are closer on the rest of the budget.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 2:00 pm
He met with Rauner along with 150 other people and asked the question about a Waukegan casino, I was there. Rauner answered just as you quoted he answered during the campaign. That does not seem like a start to a casino. Fat chance, obese chance at that.
Comment by Allknowingmasterofraccoondom Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 2:00 pm
@Six Degrees of Separation:
The horse racing industry in Illinois is struggling. The expansion of other forms of legalized gambling has taken its toll. Horse owners are choosing to enter their thoroughbreds in races with bigger purses in other states. In other states, it is not uncommon to have slot machines or casino games on site at race tracks. In Illinois several tracks have closed in recent years and others are on life support.
Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 2:20 pm
“I met the governor, and he’s not opposed.”
You taking that to the bank?
Comment by walker Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 2:48 pm
Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Maine, Florida, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico all have expanded gaming at their horse racing tracks. Why can’t Illinois?
Comment by Roamin' Numeral Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 2:50 pm
As I’ve said many times in previous posts, Slots at the race tracks is WAY overdue in Illinois. WAY OVERDUE.
Comment by Big Joe Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 3:14 pm
There is a definite need for creating some new sources of revenue without raising taxes. Gambling expansion that creates new casinos and brings slots at tracks will certainly raise hundreds of millions annually as well as create thousands of jobs which in turn means more tax revenue from those workers. Bills have passed in past sessions just need a governor who will sign
Comment by E town Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 3:16 pm
wonder who is in the Motley crew?
Comment by flea Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 3:21 pm
Gambling is just another form of regressive taxation. We know that a casino will generate more tax money for state government, but it will come from those who can least afford to lose their money. But then of course the people will not notice that this is really another tax on the poor and middle class, and lawmakers won’t be accused of raising taxes.
Problem solved, or maybe not.
Comment by Enviro Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 5:12 pm
No one holds a gun to your head to force you to gamble. It is a decision and a priority some people make.
Comment by scotty in chicago Tuesday, Mar 17, 15 @ 8:23 pm