This just in…
Wednesday, Oct 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* 2:47 pm - I just got these fresh numbers from the first round of bids to operate the long-dormant 10th casino license. Backgrounders are linked on each project…
Rosemont $435M
Waukegan $225M
Harvey $175M
Calumet City $150M
Stickney $150M
Des Plaines $100M
Country Club Hills $60M
None of these are as high as many had hoped, but Rosemont at the top has to make some people squirm. The state, including Attorney General Lisa Madigan, spent years fighting a license for the town. This is a new bidder, however.
There will be another round of bidding after the field is winnowed down to three.
* 2:49 pm - From the AP…
A Cook County judge today issued a fresh order banning state officials from making payments under Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s expanded health care program.
And Judge James Epstein added that the time has come for officials to explain how they intend to comply. […]
The legislature repeated turned down efforts to expand state health insurance for the needy. Despite that, the Blagojevich administration enlarged the state’s FamilyCare program anyway, leading to a court challenge. […]
On Wednesday, Epstein renewed his order and refused to stay it pending possible appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court, saying a blueprint for compliance was now his top priority. [emphasis added]
* 2:53 pm - Moved here from a different post. Report by the AP…
The Illinois Supreme Court says a review of how to fix inaccuracies on the November ballot should be decided by an appellate court.
The Chicago Bar Association, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and others asked the high court to directly reverse the remedy for the faulty ballot because so little time remains before the Nov. 4 election. But the court turned down that plan. […]
The bar association and Quinn want ballots themselves fixed. An appellate court hearing is scheduled later in the day.
- John Bambenek - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 2:58 pm:
Fun part about con-con suit. Supremes say appeals has to do it. Hearing going on right now is whether appeals has “jurisdiction” to hear it and it appears they are going to say they don’t.
Fingers point, case dies. You get the picture.
- Crystal Clear - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 3:17 pm:
“The governor’s office did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment Wednesday.”
Suddenly he’s not talking. The damage this guy has done will continue to play out over the next 5 to 10 years.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 3:27 pm:
Nothing sudden about it.
He talks when he wants. When he doesn’t want to talk, which is usually, he doesn’t.
- Oneman - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 3:44 pm:
Any idea where the appellate hearing is going down at?
- Pat collins - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 4:01 pm:
Casinos
You know, there is NOTHING in the law about casinos tha says it needs to go to the highest bidder. There IS something about revitalizing towns in the economics dumps.
No way Rosemont deserves the casino. it should be one of these 3:
Waukegan
Harvey
Calumet City
and likely Harvey should get it.
- Oneman - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 4:04 pm:
PC
I think Cal City would be a better choice, better transportation access from the city
- Wumpus - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 4:12 pm:
Rosemont should get/on the short(er) list it as they are nearly double the nearest bidder. There is nothing in the laws that say it should go to the highest bidder, but given the financial situation, common sense should prevail.
I am hoping people don’t think crooks will not be involved anywhere oustide of Rosemont.
People from Chicago squeamish about Rosemont, classic.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 4:20 pm:
It would seem everything is a gamble in Springfield so one should definitely go in the Capital City.
- Crystal Clear - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 4:23 pm:
Rich, you are right. My thought was that he has a lot of press releases where he controls the entire message, but you are right, he rarely talks when asked about anything improper in his administration.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 5:20 pm:
The Rosemont bid appears legit. Onex is a Canadian private equity firm with a reputation for making sound deals and being labor-friendly, a rarity in that arena.
At this point, I don’t think the State is in the position of doing any subsidized deals and should, after vetting, bring the three highest bidders to the finals.
Looking at some of the other bids, there are some hinky names in there. Except in Cal City, where it’s a secret (what a surprise) and in Harvey where there was no press coverage of the bid (surprise #2.)
- Black Ivy - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 5:43 pm:
A 10th Casino will not save the south suburbs - Calumet City, Country Club Hills, and Harvey. Increased gambling will only exacerbate an already tenuous situation. The south suburbs need stable jobs and commercial investments, not a casino! This is simply not the answer.
- GOP'er - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 6:00 pm:
People are seeing their 401k’s, portfolios, and home values all nosedive. Tons of folks are losing their jobs.
Let’s therefore encourage people to gamble more. Classic Illinois gov’t brilliance.
At least the Outfit will be happy. There’s the true recession proof business.
- Levois - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 6:24 pm:
What happened to Country Club Hills? They didn’t want that casino license bad enough?
- Levois - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 6:27 pm:
Cal City is a long way from any public transportation. I’m not counting Pace Bus. Harvey would be a good choice because at least there are a couple or so Metra stations in that municipality.
- 2ConfusedCrew - Thursday, Oct 16, 08 @ 7:52 am:
Looks like a casino position is still worth over 2000K and not the few thou Blagoat and his partner, StatewwideTom,used for their giveaways…Hope they have an explanation all dialed up…..Do we hear Mr. Spinsister pushing those hackberry keys? Quick get some talking points out to the MulliMonster pronto
- Fan of the Game - Thursday, Oct 16, 08 @ 8:07 am:
===There IS something about revitalizing towns in the economics dumps.===
If that’s the criteria, I’m thinking Carmi should get it. Or maybe Grayville since they didn’t get the prison.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Oct 16, 08 @ 11:40 am:
Bidding during the middle of a credit crunch is lousy timing…or convenient depending on your perspective.
Bid prices would be higher if there were some assurance from the state that no other casinos would be permitted for at least 5 years.