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Quinn administration finally admits they’re open to slots at tracks

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Illinois

* Reporters have been trying for months to get Gov. Pat Quinn to answer questions prompted by my reporting that he had abandoned his staunch opposition to “racinos” - casinos at horse racing tracks. And for months, Quinn has been coy, not saying flat-out that he’s still opposed, but not ever saying that he could support it.

Well, the State Journal-Register editorial board finally got somebody on record. The SJ-R’s latest editorial is about the gaming bill and what the governor said in his veto message of that bill…

What he didn’t mention is whether he still opposes allowing slot machines at racetracks, something he used to talk about regularly but now does not mention. The political reality is that no gambling expansion bill will pass without them.

“That particular issue – we’re willing to discuss with the legislature,” spokeswoman Brooke Anderson, adding that Quinn would still like to see less of an expansion.

Was that so difficult? Sheesh. Finally, there’s a real opening here.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 12:09 pm

Comments

Did he just flip flop again.

Comment by Fed up Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 12:16 pm
It’s called compromise, Fed up, and if you hadn’t noticed Quinn is doing a pretty good job getting what he wants on this issue.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 12:35 pm
It’s about time!

Comment by Because I say so... Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 1:02 pm
Quinn isn’t open to the gambling bill because he has donors that say so. He isn’t flipping and flopping, he’s ducking for cover… any cover.

Comment by Just asking Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 1:25 pm
STL —
I guess I am a bit confused here, Quinn has seemed hesitiant for any expansion not sure if giving up on a strongly held objection to slots at tracks would be a ‘compromise’

Being cool with a Rockford and Danville casino would be ‘compromise’ not sure if stepping back from what is really the biggest expansion piece in some ways (the number of tracks in Chicagoland) is compromise.

But even to your point “Quinn is doing a pretty good job getting what he wants on this issue. ”

It seems that Quinn wants no expansion to speak of, continuing to veto is going to be the best way

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 2:07 pm
It takes a while for Rham’s swearing to sink into Quinns brain.

Comment by mokenavince Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 2:18 pm
Not a surprise. His staff has told him all along he can’t give the Mayor his casino without slots at the tracks.

Comment by Secretariat Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 2:20 pm
Would Quinn agree (privately) to a Chicago casino in exchange for Rahm’s support for re-election?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 2:22 pm
@Robert the Bruce -

No. That would be a crime.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 2:26 pm
And we all know crime never happens in Illinois politics.

Rahm would offer his “appreciation”. Quinn, unlike Blagojevich, will know what that means though.

Comment by Fight for Chicago Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 3:04 pm
Won’t it take a while to train the horses to pull the arm on the slot machine?

Comment by D.P. Gumby Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 3:07 pm
Who told him he could say that? Mike or Rahm?

Comment by Springfield Dan Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 3:08 pm
“No. That would be a crime. ”

Only if the phone is tapped.

Comment by Elmo Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 4:11 pm
=== Was that so difficult? ===

Magic 8 Ball was broken?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 4:23 pm
Let’s go!!!!!!

Comment by amalia Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 7:52 pm
=Won’t it take a while to train the horses to pull the arm on the slot machine?=

Nope. You’ll probably just have to run them into the darn thing, tazer them so that they fall to the ground (making sure that they don’t fall on top of anyone in the process), and wait until they grow thumbs to grab onto the handle while they’re going down.

And don’t forget the “chips.” I’m sure it’d be nice to know which horse is grabbing for which machine in real time.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 7, 12 @ 1:18 am