13 Comments - wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:04 am: –”We are not threatening anybody,” Duffy told committee members. – The gall. In 1928, JD Rockefeller Jr. took out an option on a couple of acres in Midtown to build an opera house. After the Crash of 1929 and the onset of The Depression, he bought up another 20 acres and personally financed Rockefeller Center, the largest privately financed building project in history, estimated to cost $250 million in 1930 dollars. Capitalism was on the ropes, and the biggest capitalist of his day put up his own money to invest in the system, putting thousands to work for years. He didn’t have to do it. Contrast with today. In the worst economic crisis since The Depression, the uber-capitalists of CME see an opportunity to extort millions from the people of Illinois. Not because they’re in trouble, they’re not. Profits are through the roof, up 29% in the last quarter. Not because they reside in a bad business climate, they don’t. Duffy said the other day that CME has enjoyed an average 19% annual growth for the last 30 years. They’re doing it because people are worried about their jobs and scared for the future. They’re doing it they have the mayor of Chicago decreeing that a CME tax break is his biggest priority in Springfield. They’re doing it because they have the state Senate president decrying how “unfair” the CME tax burden is. They’re doing it because they think the fix is in and that they can get away with it. That they can just threaten us, then steal from us, like we’re a bunch of rubes. This is nothing more than an Outfit-like shakedown, aided and abetted by two of the top leaders in the Democratic Party. If it goes down, we’ll all know where we really stand. - me - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 1:03 pm: Wordlsinger - One of the most well written things I’ve read all week. - Dirty Red - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 1:42 pm: Interesting that the Senate is stalling for time with these introductions and stories while Quinn admins call to kill 747…. - Irish - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 2:24 pm: Interesting… GA passes bills that create mandates for schools that require various actions by and through the ROE offices, but now they want to form a committee to study what it is that these offices do to find out if they are necessary. What??????? - Dirty Red - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 5:22 pm: What are the odds on the gaming bill? - Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 5:31 pm: I wonder if Bradley would be for the gaming bill if his community got a casino. They could put it in the STAR Bonds district! - Been There - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 5:43 pm: ====I wonder if Bradley would be for the gaming bill if his community got a casino. They could put it in the STAR Bonds district!==== I think his new district will include the Metropolis boat - Coach - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 7:50 pm: The Downstate Reps took their vote back from the Gambling bill when they left the fairgrounds out with horse racing and slots! This was going to provide money to help rebuild the fairgrounds and provide jobs in the area along with providing for ag programs which is very important to downstate communities! Lang and and Leaders need to understand there are areas below I-80 that matters too! The best thing he can do now is to add the Fairgrounds to receive slots or racino and call Quinn’s bluff! Does he want to lose any hope of getting support from Mayor Emanual if Chicago doesnt’t get their casino! At least he can get more then 60 votes to pass it! Then if the Gov. vetos it he is killing himself with any chance of getting support from Emanual in the future! Maybe they could pick up a few votes to even override a veto if it happens! Be smart Mr.Lang it is your only chance now to save the racing industry, include downstate and fairgrounds with a racino! - Downstater - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 8:02 pm: Well said Coach! - Land of Lincoln - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 8:03 pm: I agree with you Coach! - average citizen - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 8:06 pm: Coach that is a great idea! Too bad your not our leader! - Middle Class Person - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 8:11 pm: Why wouldn’t we want to create jobs no matter if it is in Chicago or Springfield! Why wouldn’t we want to save 40,000 jobs. Why wouldn’t we want to receive 1 billion dollars to pay off on our debt. Why wouldn’t we want revenue of $500,000.00 each year to put into a road program. I don’t get it! I agree with Coach call Quinn’s bluff! - horse racing worker - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 9:02 pm: Mr. Quinn and State Legislators what would you feel like if tomorrow a press conference was called and Arlington, Maywood, Balmoral, Hawthorne, and Fairmount race track owners announce that they would be closing their doors as Jan. 1, 2012. I hope I don’t lose my job because of your support by the casino industry! Maybe I should start looking for work out of state at another track1 Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.