CHICAGO (Associated Press) -
Gov. Pat Quinn is confident that his veto of a proposed gambling expansion in Illinois will stand. The Democrat rejected the bill Tuesday saying the proposal lacked sufficient regulatory oversight.
With his two immediate predecessors in prison, the Chicago Democrat had said integrity must be a hallmark of the gambling plan, which also proposed establishing four new riverboat casinos and allowing slot machines at racetracks.
The most glaring omission from the bill "is the absence of strict ethical standards and comprehensive regulatory oversight. Illinois should never settle for a gaming bill that includes loopholes for mobsters," Quinn said in a statement announcing the veto.
He urged legislators to work with him on its shortcomings, although the bill's House sponsor said his attempts to meet with Quinn have been rebuffed. Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, predicted there would be enough House votes this fall to override Quinn's veto.
Quinn could have used his amendatory veto power to change parts he didn't like. But the governor said Tuesday at an unrelated school appearance that there's too much wrong with the bill.
Supporters of the bill estimated the expansion could have brought in up to $1 billion a year, boost tourism and create 100,000 jobs for the state.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he will keep pushing for a casino in the city, even after Quinn's veto.
In a brief statement, the mayor said Tuesday that the governor agreed with him on the importance of drafting and passing a gambling bill. He did not address Quinn's contention that the bill lacked sufficient regulatory oversight and that the bill included "loopholes for mobsters."
Instead, Emanuel focused on his own contention that a Chicago casino would create thousands of jobs and the absence of a casino means the city is losing $20 million a month and "countless" jobs to neighboring Indiana.
Opponents warned of market saturation and raised concerns about the social costs.
The proposal would have established a city-owned Chicago casino with spots for 4,000 people to gamble at once. It also would have added riverboat casinos in Danville, Park City, Rockford and an undecided location in Chicago's south suburbs. Each riverboat casino would have had 1,600 gambling positions, and allowed Illinois' 10 existing casinos to grow.
Rockford Mayor Larry Morrisey said he's disappointed. He said a casino in Rockford would have created thousands of jobs. The community has frequently had the highest unemployment rate in the state.
Democratic state Sen. Michael Frerichs represents the Danville area. He said a casino would have generated revenue for schools, roads and parks.
Earlier attempts at expanding gambling in Illinois have failed. Lawmakers approved a similar plan last year but did not send the plan to the governor, who had threatened a veto.
Quinn, who isn't opposed to gambling on principle, had said all along that he wanted a bill with stronger ethical protections. That includes barring the gambling industry from making political contributions.
"Everybody should be concerned about ethics in our state. We have two governors, my predecessors, both in jail," Quinn said Monday.
On Tuesday, Quinn took aim at the proposed Chicago casino, claiming the bill would have allowed it to play by different rules. He said the Illinois Gaming Board wouldn't have the same regulatory authority over the Chicago outlet as it holds over other casinos in the state and that the city casino would not have to follow the state's procurement code in handing out contracts.
"Such a complete lack of oversight will leave the Chicago casino's numerous procurements vulnerable to organized crime, unsavory influence and potentially overpriced vendors," Quinn wrote.
In earlier responses to the governor's critique, lawmakers offered follow-up legislation to address some of the concerns. However that wouldn't be considered unless the initial law is signed, and Quinn has said he'd rather get all the legislation signed at once.
Lang said he would seek an override in the fall legislative session and dismissed the suggestion that Quinn might be open to discussing differences with the legislation's authors.
"The bottom line is he doesn't want to sign a gaming bill," Lang said. "If he had language to propose, he would have proposed it."
Quinn also criticized the legislation for providing too little support for public education. Past gambling expansions have been designed to bring in more revenue for public services such as schools, but the 1991 law that created riverboat casinos was intended to help economically depressed cities.
For more information on the gambling expansion bill: SB1849.
