* Mitchell Armentrout and Tina Sfondeles…

An army of lobbyists for corporate sports betting giants were making a full-court press in Springfield in an effort to shelve the hike on an Illinois industry that generated more than $1 billion last year. And their message — that more than doubling the tax rate would lead to worse odds for customers and send them to illegal sportsbooks — was resonating in corners of the House Democratic caucus. […]

State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, called it “a major sticking point” in the final days of session. […]

State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, who has shepherded most gaming legislation in the Capitol, suggested the Illinois rate could fall somewhere below the 35% sought by Pritzker. […]

Perhaps a bigger sticking point in budget talks has been the governor’s proposal to lower the tax discount retailers receive for collecting sales taxes, which his office says would net the state an additional $101 million. Retailers are currently reimbursed 1.75% of the sales taxes they collect. […]

During a lengthy House Democratic caucus, members were roll-called on their support for the sports betting increase and for the retailers cap. Neither appeared to have enough support from members as of Wednesday afternoon.

The sports betting tax hike is projected to bring in $200 million. The reduced retailers’ discount is expected to generate $101 million for the state and $85 million for local governments.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association has beaten back every attempt to take away their sales tax discount, but governors keep trying.

…Adding… Budgeteers went into a meeting at around 9:30 pm.