* Subscribers have the governor’s full schedule. Finke…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker will sign the gambling expansion and capital construction bills during a ceremony in Springfield Friday.
The signings will be part of a three-day trip around the state for the governor to promote both bills.
Pritzker will sign the legislation Friday morning at the Lincoln Depot historic site, on Monroe Street near the 10th Street railroad tracks.
The gambling bill authorizes a massive expansion of gambling in Illinois, including five new casinos, slot machines at horse racing tracks, sports betting and the addition of video gaming terminals at the Illinois State Fair.
The bill also increases a number of taxes that are part of the state’s financial plan, including a $1-per-pack increase in the state cigarette tax. The plan also places a tax on the wholesale price of e-cigarettes.
* Joe Bustos at the BND…
East St. Louis is slated to be the start of a tour for the governor on Friday when he touts a massive state infrastructure program.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday plans to sign the state’s $45 billion Rebuild Illinois Capital plan, a six-year program aimed at fixing roads and state facilities, among other things, according to sources with knowledge of the governor’s tentative schedule.
The governor’s office has yet to confirm the East St. Louis stop, but said it is planning events across the state.
The sources said an event is tentatively planned to take place in East St. Louis, which is slated to receive millions of dollars from the capital bill. Among the appropriations are $1 million for capital improvements in the East Side Health District in East St. Louis for urban farming and clinic services, and $2 million for East St. Louis for demolition of derelict buildings and abandoned properties.
- Montrose - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 1:59 pm:
As long as he isn’t paying for the fly around himself, I am ok with it.
- Amalia - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 2:02 pm:
good. now how do we know what was given to each district?
- NIU Grad - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 2:07 pm:
I’m getting nervous reading how tight that schedule is. I can’t imagine reaching that many parts of the state in one day…
- Not a Billionaire - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 2:08 pm:
It’s not just East St. Louis that needs funds to get rid of derelict buildings but I am sure glad to see such funding. I hope the town of Viola gets money to tear it’s ugly old downtown down and replace it with a modernist building.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 2:15 pm:
What fantastic accomplishments, what a different day for the state. What a luxury for Pritzker, to have accomplished so much so early in his term.
- Nieva - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 2:18 pm:
Let’s keep those roads up going into St.Louis. We will need to go get our fuel and smokes over there…
- Motambe - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 2:37 pm:
60 cents on the dollar will get spent on the ESL projects. The rest will go into the pockets of “consultants” and “sponsors.” That’s the St. Clair County way.
- Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 2:48 pm:
===We will need to go get our fuel and smokes over there===
And their weed over here.
- Virgil - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 4:16 pm:
I sure hope our Gov Pritzker gets a good view of the so called new Rt 50 (supposedly planned as a four lane highway in 1961) and allocates monies to finish this (VERY LONG OVERDUE) project. The land acquisition is paid for. The current two lane highway is shot. We need a NEW FOUR LANE HIGHWAY from Carlyle to Lebanon. Thank you.
- Not a Billionaire - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 5:37 pm:
I think there is A study for a bypass of Lebanon
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jun 27, 19 @ 6:55 pm:
Virgil, Not a Billionaire -
Might not be true about Lebanon, but generally when IDOT starts talking “bypass” World War III erupts over the placement of the town bypass(es). For example, St. Clair County to Carbondale is perpetually stalled over whether to follow Illinois 3, 4, or 13.