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* This is a very useful fact check of Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) by the BGA…
“They wanted lower taxes paid to the state [by the Chicago casino owner] and higher taxes paid to the city,” state Sen. Dave Syverson of Rockford told WCIA’s Mark Maxwell in a sit-down at the capitol, which aired Dec. 8. “The amount of taxes would be the same, but Chicago wanted to keep more of it.” […]
Speaking about a proposal to change the tax structure for a future Chicago casino, Syverson said the plan would lower taxes paid by the casino to the state and increase the taxes it pays to the city so that the overall amount would be the same but Chicago would “keep more of it.”
That doesn’t entirely square with the language of the bill. As he said, it would have reduced tax revenue for the state — but it also would have lowered taxes paid to the city.
Syverson conceded that last point in response to our inquiry.
We rate his claim Half True.
Syverson repeatedly bad-mouthed that Chicago casino bill during the veto session and, as this fact-check shows, he used inaccurate arguments to do so. It’s not all that surprising since Rockford locked in its casino last spring and any competition, even from a city 90 miles away, would be unwelcome.
But it’s just one more thing to add to Syverson’s curiously strong all-out push to convince local leaders to approve the Hard Rock Casino’s proposal.
*** UPDATE *** Rockford is a small city, so these sorts of ties are to be expected. The Hard Rock’s plan would’ve probably won out anyway, so Syverson should’ve just stayed in the background, especially considering these trying federal times. His heavy public support means he’s very easily tied to the winning bidder and these ties look horrible…
More: Tim Knauf used to be an owner at Williams Manny before Gallagher acquired it. Knauf, who shares an office building with Syverson's insurance brokerage, is an investor in the Hard Rock bid.
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) December 16, 2019
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 9:57 am
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Anybody, including myself, who has had to work with Syverson on a controversial issue, knows that he will take non rational positions when the issue impacts something that could benefit him personally. While Sandoval and Arroyo got caught, Syverson has quietly continued to put his finger not he scale whenever it benefitted him. I hope that this pressure continues on him, and I hope others speak up and share their own Syverson shakedown stories.
Comment by 32nd warder Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 10:02 am
I believe Syverson’s math was correct.. it was just applied in the wrong column. The last proposal pushed by the Mayor would have had the Chicago casino pay the same tax rate to the State as every other new casino. Where the Syverson math comes in is in the “reconciliation payment”.. the Mayor wanted Chicago to get a “piece” of the Chicago reconciliation payment, where on all other reconciliation payments the Starr received 100%.
Comment by Wow Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 10:04 am
It’s appearing more and more that Syverson could have been looking out for more than the best interests of Rockford.
It’s a gamble I’m making here, sure…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 10:28 am
OW: Every new casino would be for the City change in reconciliation.
Comment by Wow Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 10:33 am
=== Every new casino would be for the City change in reconciliation.===
Huh?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 10:36 am
The Elgin and Des plaines casino are closer to Rockford than Chicago. They are the ones most likely to take the hit from Chicago casino.
Comment by Fav human Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 11:25 am
If Sen. Syverson received this much scrutiny his whole career, he would have been out of office years ago.
BTW… why is this coming from a C. Illinois media outlet????
Living in Rockford is really hard.
Comment by Try-4-Truth Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 12:04 pm
Yep nothing to see here.
https://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20180303/our-view-syverson-should-have-sidelined-himself-on-swedes-plan
Comment by Yep Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 12:18 pm
=Why is this coming from a Central IL news outlet?=
Because they are one of the very few that still underwrite a Springfield bureau and reporters?
Comment by Say What? Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 12:39 pm
If Illinois and Casino’s really wanted to make money they would allow them all to shift to Chicago. Put 7-10 big casino’s in Chicago and watch the money roll in.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 12:56 pm
” *** UPDATE *** Rockford is a small city ”
By what standard? We can forgive all sorts of malfeasance if we just say “small city”.
Rockford metro population is about 340,000.
Comment by Try-4-Truth Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 1:28 pm
Who is actually surprised to learn of another self dealing Springfield legislator?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 2:12 pm
While watching him squirm on Capitol View last Sunday, I remember thinking, why on Earth did he agree to appear on camera?
Comment by Davos Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 2:24 pm
Senator Syverson: bringing Madigan machine politics to the Upper Chamber.
Comment by Da Lobsta Monday, Dec 16, 19 @ 4:02 pm
If only some of this was true. Mark needs to do his homework
Comment by Jim Johnson Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 5:32 pm