* The differing reactions to the gaming expansion bill are like night and day, depending on where or who you are. For instance, Elgin already has a casino, so its city council has unanimously voted for a resolution condemning the gaming expansion bill…

The Elgin council’s resolution calls for the General Assembly to “introduce new gaming legislation with protections that will require such new gaming licenses to be issued in depressed economic areas of the state and in markets that are not adequately being served by an existing riverboat casino.”

It also opposes further gambling at horse-racing tracks, calling the introduction of slot machines at them at odds with the “overarching purpose of the Riverboat Gambling Act — to enhance the economically depressed regions of the State — but rather confers a substantial benefit on a discrete industry.” Elgin’s declaration also states that “Illinois cities and regions with riverboat casinos should not be subject to cannibalization of their markets by racetracks that have been long afforded the privilege of wagering by the State.”

However, “the City of Elgin is not opposed to the proposed gaming expansion within the city of Chicago, recognizing Chicago’s stature as a first level, ‘world’ city, and that the addition of gaming to Chicago’s diverse, international economy will enhance that city’s appeal in the global marketplace,” the document states. […]

Elgin primarily uses its share of Grand Victoria Casino money to fund capital projects and assist local nonprofits.

* Rockford currently has no casino, so almost its entire community leadership is now rallying behind the bill…

Leaders of the local arts community put their support behind a plan to build a casino in Rockford.

Rockford Area Arts Council, Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford Art Museum and local artists will speak at the Rockford Area Arts Council this afternoon to show their support.

* More…

“Money from gaming helps us offer arts programs, services and events to residents and visitors to ensure all facets of our community have access to art,” she said in anews release.

Several groups have already signed on to support the casino initiative, including the Rockford Park District, union laborers and the Rockford Area Visitors & Convention Bureau.

* Springfield would get several months of horse racing dates at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and some slot machines. Springfield Mayor Mike Houston is fully on board…

“I would support anything that is going to create activity and excitement at the Illinois State Fairgrounds,” Houston says, adding that “overall, it would be a good thing for the city.”

Houston rejects Bedell’s claim that proposed changes at the fairgrounds would be like putting a casino in Springfield. “We’re not talking about a full-fledged casino and I think that is an important distinguishing factor,” Houston says. “You have things other than slot machines at a casino.”

He also notes that some Springfield residents travel to riverboats like Par-A-Dice Casino, outside of Peoria, to gamble. “I think that if there are people who are having problems with gambling, they are having problems in the city of Springfield today. They are just using riverboats.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by agricultural interests, which expect to get millions of dollars in additional funding, should the measure become law in its current form.

* But Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe is continuing his mission to convince the governor to veto the legislation…

“It’s a bad bill,” Jaffe said of a casino expansion package that passed during the final days of the legislative session in May. “There are too many loopholes in that bill. I’ve said it before and I’ll tell you again: It’s 409 pages of garbage”

The board’s 215 staff members are trying to manage the implementation of video gaming, which lawmakers approved two years ago, while facing the potential of yet another expansion of casinos—unless Gov. Pat Quinn vetoes the bill.

“Yes, he should veto it,” said Jaffe, who met with Quinn last week. “We talked about the bill, and I told him exactly how I felt, and he listened very carefully.” […]

“There are 400 items put in that bill by special interests,” Jaffe told reporters Wednesday. “Do I have to spell that out for you? Special interests were involved in that bill. These are back room deals.”

More…

The legislation, which would allow for a Chicago casino, four other new land-based gambling halls and the addition of slot machines at horse racing tracks, is filled with regulatory loopholes, Jaffe said.

“I’ve said before and I will tell you again, it’s 409 pages of garbage,” Jaffe said, later adding: “Use your imagination, and whatever evil thoughts come into your minds, it will probably be worse than that.”