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* The Rockford Register Star refuses to look a gift horse in the mouth…
The city of Rockford needs every economic development tool it can get. Although a riverboat casino might not be the ideal opportunity, it could be a key piece in a downtown redevelopment plan that could include a hotel, restaurants and shopping.
A Rockford casino would keep money here. Busloads of local people head to Elgin and Aurora to have fun with their money. Why not make Rockford the place to have fun and give another entertainment option to residents and visitors who might want to exit Interstate 90 and detour into Rockford for a quick game?
It’s time for Rockford to put a few items in the “yes” pile. We need to say “yes” to something that would help lower our unemployment rate and might be the impetus for more investment in the city.
The community is infamous for its ability to say “no.” This is an opportunity that should be seized.
* The Daily Southtown completely rejects the gift horse…
The issue: A plan to drastically expand gambling in Illinois could lead to a new casino in the south suburbs.
We say: The sudden choice of Ford Heights reeks of secret back-room deals. The process is an outrage, and the public should demand accounting. […]
This is just some back-alley craps game - sleazy, secret, with dirty motives and quite possibly thugs waiting in the wings.
It’s the kind of back-room deal that’s dragged this state into the gutter, holds us down, picks our pockets, and kicks us in the temple.
* One of the paper’s columnists compares the proposed casino to a gentleman’s club…
The casino, if approved by state lawmakers, would be just like Ford Heights’ Atlantis Gentlemen’s Club, a beacon of jobs and economic development that opened three years ago - and has yet to attract the hotels, restaurants and spinoff businesses promised.
* The Question: Do you favor adding new casinos in Illinois? Explain.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 1:28 pm
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No. Casino gambling makes money mostly for the casino owners and any tax revenue realized comes with a cost. Namely, taking money from people who can not afford to lose it. Also money lost at casinos means there are less dollars being spent on other goods and services statewide.
Comment by "Old Timer Dem" Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 1:34 pm
I’d like to see slots at race tracks, we need to save this industry.
Comment by wndycty Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 1:42 pm
I favor additional casinos, especially in Chicago, the Chicago area and other border areas. Why not put a casino in Chicago, another casino north of Chicago or Rockford, and another casino in Ford Heights to capture gambling dollars that are currently going to Indiana and Wisconsin.
Illinois already allows casino gaming. Why not go “all in” and authorize as much as the market will bear.
Comment by Just the Facts Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 1:44 pm
I definitely favorite it. Just look at the amount of money going to Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa and Michigan. People are going to gamble so we might as well reap the tax revenue that goes with it.
On the other hand, the Southtown has a point about Ford Heights and the other towns being named specifically. Its one thing to say Chicago. There are hundreds of square miles where that might go. But Ford Heights? The land has probably already been bought and the deal with the town cut.
But where Kristen McQueary is wrong is that, unlike the strip club, Ford Heights would be getting a pretty big chunk of change from their share of the gaming tax. The current riverboat towns have invested in fixing up their towns pretty nicely compared to how they were. This really could be a huge shot in the arm to them.(not so good for the race track though down in Crete. They will grab all the customers that go down 394)
Comment by Double Down Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 1:48 pm
Well if we want to go ‘all in’ why not really go all in and allow it everyplace and anyplace with local approval?
If we are unwilling to do that, then put one on the borders with Wisconsin, Indiana and one in Rockford and call it a day
Comment by OneMan Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 1:49 pm
Gambling or with its more politically correct name, Gaming should be expanded in Illinois. Using the original criteria for awarding licenses, both the Waukegan and Rockford areas as well as the South suburbs clearly qualify. None of these areas are with 30 miles of an existing Illinois casino and it is doubtful that new casinos would have a significant impact on existing licenses. Why should these cities not have the ability to host a legal regulated
business other than existing municipalities and licensees trying to protecting their franchises.
Comment by WRMNpolitics Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 1:50 pm
==I’d like to see slots at race tracks, we need to save this industry==
If it can’t support itself, why?
I say YES to a Chicago casino. Somewhere accessible from downtown, so we can take as much tourism money as possible. That’s the whole point of economic development, isn’t it? Bringing in external money?
The other areas….meh. It sure hasn’t helped Alton or East St. Louis much, but if they can find a responsible owner, sure.
Since the state took over the numbers racket (now called lotto and pick 4), the expansion of legal gambling has continued unabated–and edcuation is still underfunded. Why should it stop now?
Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 1:59 pm
“The casino, if approved by state lawmakers, would be just like Ford Heights’ Atlantis Gentlemen’s Club, a beacon of jobs and economic development that opened three years ago - and has yet to attract the hotels, restaurants and spinoff businesses promised.”
Am I reading this right? The “gentlemen’s club” in Ford Heights was sold to the community on the belief that it would result in increased local economic activity in the form of restaurants and hotels? This in itself is jaw-droppingly stupid. I’m sorry. But there’s no other way to say it.
Comment by Guy Gardner Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 2:12 pm
I guess if you opened a hotel with hourly rates near the gentleman’s club it might prosper.
I would like to echo “Just the Facts” comments. Open the casino’s where they could attract tourist dollars while keeping our own in the state. Duh.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 2:16 pm
==I’d like to see slots at racetracks, we need to save this industry==
==If it can’t support itself, why?==
The reason Illinois needs electronic gaming at horse tracks is that most states have electronic gaming at their horse tracks. If Illinois is going to compete in the horse racing industry we need gaming at the tracks in Illinois also. In my opinion this is an industry we can’t afford to lose, it would cost Illinois thousands of jobs and lost tax revenue.
Yes we do need more casinos. Casinos provide jobs and tax revenue. If you don’t want to gamble don’t go to a casino.
Comment by (618) Democrat Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 2:18 pm
====I’d like to see slots at race tracks, we need to save this industry==
If it can’t support itself, why?==
Amen to saving the horse racing industry in Illinois! The industry is in jeapordy because so many other states have slots at their tracks so they can offer bigger purses. Why race in Illinois if you can race somewhere else for a lot more money?
It’s time legisative leaders took a good look at the impact horse racing has on jobs in Illinois. Save horse racing and you’ll save thousands of jobs!
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 2:25 pm
I’m for a high-end classy casino near the downtown convention-hotels area (block 37?) and/or one in the O’Hare convention-hotels area to attract tourist money (but with prices/cover charge etc., too pricy to attract most locals who really do already have enough other places to gamble.)
Comment by Responsa Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 2:30 pm
If we’re going to go for vice as ‘good economic development’ - then why not go whole hog? Legalize, license and tax brothels and drug dens.
Comment by titan Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 2:32 pm
I think that a nice casino in downtown Chicago, much like the one in New Orleans would benefit Illinois. Also, I would like to see a casino in Danville. They are right on I-74 and would draw people from right across the state line, as well as other areas of Illinois.
Comment by Jack Straw from Wichita Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 2:39 pm
Mixed feelings — hate the regressive tax nature of casino revenues, but better it stays here than goes to other states. So: Rockford, Waukegan (Park City more likely, but gag!), and of course Chicago.
Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 3:22 pm
I support an expansion of gambling because it brings jobs and revenue to the State of Illinois. Jobs are hard to come by these days, more people should try to attract them to Illinois.
To add on to Responsa’s comment, I think it would be cool to see an underground casino. People could access it via the pedway.
Comment by JakeCP Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 3:22 pm
OneMan pretty much nails it.
IL should either commit to maximizing state revenue from casinos/riverboats and go to local approval or keep the current 10 licenses as is.
Meanwhile, let’s examine some of the more immediate options (like slots at racetracks; Arlington can add slots much faster than it takes to build a new casino).
Comment by S Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 3:35 pm
Why doesn’t the horse racing industry save itself? It’s gambling — you set the odds yourself to make profit. What more help do you need?
Seems like it was only 25 years ago when Billionaire Duchossis, Sam Vinson and Big Jim saved the horse racing industry with state backing for a White Elephant Marble track in Arlington Heights. The old track had to catch fire — twice — before that could happen.
I’m sure all our small government GOPers are against “saving” the small-time, government-subsidized industry that racing is in Illinois.
Racing here is an entertainment option that can’t draw flies, and doesn’t even try. Where’s the advertising and marketing? They have no business getting any government backing.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 3:52 pm
Waukegan has been trying for a casino for years, with unemployment near 20%, jobs are desperately needed here. And with Gurnee Mills and Great America close by, Lake County would become one of the major tourist attractions in the state. Bring it!
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 4:15 pm
One in Chicago. Near the convention center. NOT owned by the City but normal royalties to them. Should be worth a Bil to the State on bid.
Comment by Park Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 6:33 pm
Yes-one or two in Chicago–only. Gambling is an evil, but a controlable one. Illinois needs the money too much at present. And as it was said in FIELD OF DREAMS, “The people will come…” Why? Last time I checked, it’s the THIRD most populous city in the United States–and it attracts a ton of visitors…shucks, why not let ‘em spend their dough here (rather than nearby off Lake Michigan in Indiana)??? Every little bit helps in tough times…bring it on Springfield.
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 8:29 pm
Gambling has never been a successful tool of economic development. Why would it be this time….?
Comment by Plutocrat03 Monday, Nov 15, 10 @ 10:20 pm
If the Southtown is against it, then I support it!
Comment by The Dark Horse Tuesday, Nov 16, 10 @ 5:44 am
Strongly support, especially slots at horse tracks..
Comment by downstate hack Tuesday, Nov 16, 10 @ 7:57 am