In the News

Des Plaines Journal & Topics, December 3, 2010

Despite two days of intense lobbying this week, the Illinois Senate Wednesday night voted 31-20 to approve a proposal to add five new casinos in the state–one of which would be in Chicago–and thousands of more gaming positions including 1,200 slot machines at Arlington Racetrack.

Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan and eight other mayors from around the state tried to convince senators that the bill would hurt Illinois’ gaming industry, in particular communities they represent where casinos are in operation or in Des Plaines’ case, about to open. A clear majority of senators, however, felt otherwise and voted to move the proposal to the Illinois House where approval in its current form is questionable.

House members are expected to consider the gaming bill the first week in January before the swearing in of newly-elected legislators takes place. That means that lame duck members, such as State Rep. Mark Walker who represents the Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Arlington Hts. area, will vote on the bill.

Moylan and the other casino town mayors mounted a full court press to defeat the gaming bill proposed a month ago by Senator Terry Link of Vernon Hills.

“This will cost Des Plaines millions of dollars each year,” Moylan said yesterday (Thursday). “And we are on the hook to pay the state $300 million over 10 years. They’re changing the rules in the middle of the game because we had always been told that there would be only 10 casinos in Illinois. And, we’re the only community that’s splitting 40% of our revenue with 10 other communities.”

Three years ago as part of the agreement that would lead to the opening of Illinois’ 10th casino in Des Plaines, the state would receive $10 million of the city’s host community tax per year. Forty percent of the remaining sum would go to 10 needy communities in the Chicago area. That would leave Des Plaines with roughly $9 million per year if $25 million in adjusted gross revenues were generated annually. That figure, however, will probably be much lower because of the poor economy. Moylan has argued that with five new casinos and thousands of new electronic gaming machines, such as slot machines, at race tracks like Arlington, casinos like the one scheduled to open in Des Plaines next August, will be greatly affected.

“We’re disappointed in the vote and thankful that our local senators like Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge voted against it,” said Moylan. “We will continue our fight into the House.”

State Senator Susan Garrett, who represents part of Des Plaines, did not vote on the gaming bill Wednesday, explaining that not doing so puts her in a good position to work on a compromise solution.

“I could not support that measure, but I wanted to leave the door open so I could be part of some negotiations,” Garrett said yesterday. “This still has to go to the House and everyone knows it will change. I didn’t want to leave the impression that I was strident in my position.”

Garrett further explained that before the vote was taken Wednesday evening, there was very little debate by legislators.

“I think this bill really needs to be vetted,” she said. “No one talked abut how the issue is associated with gambling, its huge expansion, how we can be assured that these types of revenues will be coming in, and whether we are really now losing gaming revenue to bordering states. There was no discussion on these issues whatsoever. That leads me to believe that not everyone is totally on board with the bill the way it is.”

Meanwhile, State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R-65th) of Des Plaines told the Journal & Topics Newspapers yesterday that she would probably vote against the proposal.

“I’m not very fond of that kind of revenue,” Mulligan said. “Also, Mayor Moylan called me and asked that we don’t compete with the Des Plaines casino. I’m sure there will be many discussions between now and when we come back after Christmas. I’m waiting to see.”