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*** UPDATE *** Why the chairman of the Gaming Board would feel a need to express his views on policy issues like slots at tracks and school funding is beyond me, and he doesn’t offer up any other specific criticisms, so we don’t know exactly what so displeases him, but Aaron Jaffe went off on the new gaming bill today…
The state’s top gambling regulator today said a revised gambling package being considered by lawmakers is “a pile of junk” that does little to address concerns outlined by Gov. Pat Quinn.
Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe said the latest proposal making its way through the Capitol would place unrealistic time limits for regulators to vet applicants and “passes out money like popcorn” to various gambling interests.
“These guys never learn,” Jaffe told the Tribune in a phone interview. “It’s basically the same bill, worse in some places, a little better in others, but it’s still a pile of junk. No one really takes into consideration any criticism.”
Jaffe said he doesn’t understand why the bill still contains slot machines for horse racing tracks when Quinn has expressed his opposition, and argued the measure would undermine education because of what he calls a “regressive” tax structure that would allow more successful casinos to pay less.
The director of the Gaming Board was asked to testify at a Senate committee hearing on the new gaming bill today. He said the Gaming Board doesn’t take positions on legislation.
* If, as expected, Gov. Pat Quinn prevents Mayor Emanuel from getting a casino, there’s gonna be trouble with a capital “T”…
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he believes the state is close to passing a bill that could put a casino in the city. […]
Emanuel said he’s had multiple conversations with Governor Pat Quinn about the revised bill says the plan is a good compromise.
“I think it reflects what I call an honest compromise to finally move forward and close up a point of discussion for 25 years and achieve a win for the people of the city of Chicago and the taxpayers,” Emanuel said Tuesday.
I’d like to have been a fly on the wall during those “multiple conversations” between the two.
Oy.
* The Sun-Times is also on board…
We are disappointed that the bill does not include a ban on campaign donations from gaming interests and, like Quinn, we’d like to see a change in the legislation that authorizes video poker in taverns and restaurants.
Municipalities should have to vote to opt into video poker in their communities, rather the current requirement that they have to vote to opt out.
Rep. Lou Lang, the bill’s sponsor, called the new gaming bill a “good faith effort to comply with many of concerns” of the original bill.
We agree. Now it’s Gov. Quinn’s turn to compromise.
* Jamey Dunn has lots of details…
SB 1849 does not include a controversial provision that called for the Gaming Board to issue temporary licenses within 60 days of application to bars and restaurants seeking video gaming. The proposal was meant to spur the board to implement video gaming, which was approved as part of the funding for the state’s capital construction plan. So far, no licenses have been issued and no revenue from video gambling has come in.
Lang said some lawmakers were uncomfortable with issuing the temporary licenses. His new bill calls for the board to begin implementing video poker before any new casinos can be licensed and before horse tracks can get a license for a permanent location for slots. However, they would be able to operate out of a temporary facility, such as a tent. Lang said he wanted to ensure that the board did not “skip over” video poker to begin work on a gaming expansion. “That could be one machine, it could be 10,000 machines, but they’ve got to get it up and running.”
* Lou states the obvious…
State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, told a legislative panel Tuesday morning that his new plan is the best chance now for Illinois to expand gambling and tap into the billions of dollars in revenue the new casinos would generate.
“If we don’t make it happen this week — because of getting into a new session, because of the primary election, because of all sort of things — it is clear to me that we won’t have a gaming (plan) to vote on until next April or May,” Lang said.
* Anybody up for a Lou Lang caption contest?…
Keep it clean, people. As always, try to elevate yourselves. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:15 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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“The Gaming Bill will pass. I’m going to make Governor Quinn an offer he can’t refuse …”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:18 am
“I think we BOTH know how you’re gonna vote … don’t we?”
“You know what I like … “green” lights for my bills, understand?”
“I really liked your testimony today … but I am counting on your vote tomorrow”
“Mayor Emanuel called me. He said, “Make a list of all the ‘Mushrooms’ against this bill. Are you against Mayor Emanuel?”
“I’m Lou Lang. I passed bills like this when you were going out with cheerleaders.”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:24 am
“Go like ‘this’ … yep, you have lettuce in your teeth”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:25 am
Leave the slots compromise…take the cannoli.
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:25 am
“It was you, Fredo, I know it was you. You broke my heart.”
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:26 am
Oswego Willy, I cannot resist. Thanks for the inspiration.
“The Gaming Bill will pass. I’m going to make Governor Quinn an offer he can’t refuse…”
“But, sir, how will any of us understand the Governor’s response when he accepts?”
Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:26 am
word …
Very.Well.Played.
Check and Mate.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:27 am
“Someday, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me.”
Comment by Boone Logan Square Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:28 am
“I must break you.”
Comment by Old Shepherd Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:29 am
“What’s that on your nose?”
Comment by Timmeh Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:31 am
You’re saying NO, but we both know you mean YES.
Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:34 am
Now this is my Larry David impression. Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good, hunh?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:37 am
“You wanna know how to get Pat Quinn? Quinn pulls a bill, you pull an amendment. He sends one of your bills to Veto Session, you send one of his into Exec… *That’s* the *Springfield* way! And that’s how you get Pat Quinn. Now do you want to do that? Are you ready to do that? I’m offering you a deal. Do you want this deal?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:37 am
This bill is yet another shift of downstate revenue to Chicago. Downstate boats will take a major hit on this bill. If you are a legislator south of I 80 and you vote for this you are an idiot. If you are a voter south of I 80 and you vote for a democrat, you are the same.
Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:51 am
Nice Untouchables reference Oswego willy
Comment by Poilitical Junkie Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:54 am
“You want a job, don’t you?”
Comment by Aristotle Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 10:59 am
===This bill is yet another shift of downstate revenue to Chicago.===
New casino in Danville and Rockford. Not sure what downstate casinos are gonna lose revenue to Chicago. Do Chicagoans drive to Peoria to gamble?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 11:00 am
Sung by Lang as they waltz to the Elvis tune..”It’s now or never……my darling…. Tomorrow will be to late….. My gambling bill won’t wait….
Comment by stuckinthemiddlewithyou Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 11:05 am
Don’t you think I look like Robert Duvall?
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 11:18 am
For this dance I lead & you follow.
Comment by JistMe Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 11:30 am
If an Eskimo kiss is what it takes to get your vote on this gambling bill, let’s light this candle.
Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 11:41 am
I told ya buddy, I’ve got the Motts, I’ve got the Motts!
Comment by friend of a friend Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 11:57 am
“I will bury you”
Comment by ah HA Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 11:58 am
==Municipalities should have to vote to opt into video poker in their communities, rather the current requirement that they have to vote to opt out==
I would agree with that, and SB 747 had introduced that change, but SB 1849 seemingly leaves it out. Even worse, it takes note of the following:
“That more than 50 municipalities and 5 counties have opted out of video gaming legislation that was enacted by the 96th General Assembly as Public Act 96-34, and revenues for the State’s newly approved capital construction program are on track to fall short of projections.” (Article 90, line 22, page 38)
Which I take to mean that those communities which have already opted out remain off the hook with this new bill, leaving the rest of the state to carry the water.
LANG: “You think I’m short?’
Comment by Das Man Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 11:59 am
“If this isn’t the best gaming bill I’ve ever seen, my name isn’t Speaker Lang…um, never mind”
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 12:23 pm
“Ya wanna know a sure bet? If this gaming bill passes, I’ll finally have enough dough to move out of Skokie and this stinking state.”
Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 12:28 pm
Kiss me. I’m Irish !
Comment by TaDa Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 12:38 pm
It is a funny world
Footdraggin Jaffe bags off on something he knows little about, but the EPA refuses to take a position the policy of tougher pollution standards for coal fired power plants
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 12:49 pm
We knocked out the stuff prohibiting campaign contributions from the casinos and tracks . We gotta pass this now. It’s #*#*#ing Golden !
Comment by x ace Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 12:54 pm
…with some fava beans and a nice chianti.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 1:00 pm
Wow, what a surprise the happiest gaming regulator in America(tm) has issues with the gaming bill.
Considering the time it is taking to implement video poker in this state by the time any gaming bill got implemented a new form of entertainment might be around.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 1:23 pm
It’s this shoulder, right? Here, let me massage that for you.
Comment by Springfield Skeptic Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 2:02 pm
Probably not enough of a budget increase for Jaffe in it.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 2:02 pm
Who is running the State of Illinois? Pat Quinn or Aaron Jaffe?
Comment by anon Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 2:07 pm
I’m confused. The Gaming Board spokesperson told the Senate Executive Committee that the Board has not had time to review the bill.
So Jaffe is rebuking a bill that he hasn’t even read yet? Why does that not surprise me?
Comment by Gator Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 2:18 pm
Put $20 on number 5 in the 6th race.
Comment by jt Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 2:33 pm
Voice Over: When he hears the word Poker he has to leave the room…
He once refused to do a school report about General John Pershing because his nickname was ‘Blackjack’.
When he flies to California he does it via Washington State just to avoid flying over Nevada…
He is…
The unhappiest gaming regulator in the world.
Jaffe: I don’t always have time to review gaming legislation before I decide, but I always decide I don’t like it.
Stay unhappy my random acquaintance.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 2:38 pm
You got to know when to hold em’, know when to fold em’, know when to walk away, know when to run.
It is time to run.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 2:42 pm
OneMan, that was your best comment ever.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 2:50 pm
Rich Miller: “I’d like to have been a fly on the wall during those “multiple conversations” between the two. (Emanuel & Quinn)”
Rich desires to expand his vocabulary.
Comment by TTWSYF Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 3:00 pm
“And I told the Governor - hold on, I got a sneeze coming on”
Jaffe is a buffoon. He is so adamantly opposed to this expansion idea, you’d think he’s lobbying for the existing casinos. Hmmmm.
Comment by Stooges Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 3:30 pm
“Yeah, I used to do the comb-forward too.”
Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 4:02 pm
“Defeated the Giant, inconceivable!”
Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 4:28 pm
I won’t even try to “game” OneMan or word. Great work, guys.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 4:44 pm
Thanks
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 4:45 pm
Why Yes my son…
I do look like a very young Yogi Berra….
Comment by Siyotanka Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 4:48 pm
OneMan that was awesome
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 5:31 pm
- Aldyth…
Glad I can inspire you with a quote …
word and OneMan … well done!
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 5:47 pm
that was me … sorry
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 5:47 pm
“The answer to every problem is more gambling.” To a man whose only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
Comment by reformer Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 8:49 pm
Can you believe those Cardinals won the whole flippin thing again. Thank God Rich won’t post anything about it on Capitol Fax !
Comment by OLD GUARD Thursday, Nov 10, 11 @ 12:38 am