In the News

Des Plaines Journal and Topics, September 19, 2007

Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones and Republican Senate Leader Frank Watson met Monday night to discuss the reintroduction of gaming as a possible temporary bailout for Chicago area rail and bus agencies.

Jones spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer confirmed that meetings between Blagojevich, Watson and Jones took place but declined comment on Rosemont Mayor Bradley Stephens' plan to bring gaming to the village.

Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, said, "Typically, the majority of the legislature is not interested in the expansion of gaming."

Last week, Mayor Bradley Stephens offered a plan to permit gaming in Rosemont and Chicago with proceeds from a McCormick Place casino going to the City of Chicago and the majority of the proceeds from a Rosemont casino going to the state.

Stephens claimed that casinos in Chicago and Rosemont could generate $1.2 billion in adjusted gross revenues for the state with each casino netting $600 million.

"We've not seen the proposal in writing so at this point we have no comment," said Davidsmeyer. Stephens said he faxed legislative leaders a written proposal Monday afternoon.

Davidsmeyer said that Jones and Blagojevich's plan, like Stephens' plan, would grant three casino licenses, one for the city of Chicago and two others. Stephens said that his plan for a Rosemont state-run casino would provide 95% of the net income to the state. Stephens offered to give the state land behind the Rosemont Theater and to sell the state the Rosemont Theater where a casino can be located. Stephens said the Rosemont Theater could be turned into a casino in as quickly as 120 to 180 days.

Davidsmeyer said the location of any casino would be determined through the Illinois State Gaming Board.

State Senator Susan Garrett (D-29th) told the Journal & Topics last week that she is open to holding hearings into gaming in Rosemont.

"It's a big step for Illinois and if we're going to do it we need to look at it thoroughly. We didn't investigate Emerald (Casino) until it was too late," said Garrett.

Also included in Stephens' plan would be a privately held casino in the south suburbs.

Garrett said, "I'm in favor of shining a light on this process. We should have a hearing on it and see how reliable these numbers would be. The gaming bill has always been like a Christmas tree. This bill has changed almost on a daily basis."

Rosemont spokesman Gary Mack characterized the numbers as "very conservative". They were retrieved from gaming professionals with MGM Grand and studying gaming trends at other area locations.

Mack said he was encouraged by the fact that Garrett mentioned hearings and said Mayor Stephens would gladly participate.