|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Supporters of Casino Bill Turn Their Lobbying to Quinn
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Container
|
| Contributor | ArmyDem |
| Last Edited | ArmyDem Jun 12, 2011 05:53am |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | News |
| Media | Newspaper - New York Times |
| News Date | Thursday, June 9, 2011 11:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | By KRISTEN McQUEARY
Published: June 9, 2011
For months, as a gambling bill moved through the state legislature, swarms of lobbyists alternately charmed lawmakers and twisted arms.
Now, they are working on Gov. Pat Quinn, who controls the fate of the bill.
Cities including Rockford and Danville are organizing letter-writing campaigns and hosting rallies to pressure Mr. Quinn to sign the legislation. Chambers of commerce, restaurant owners and even farmers who supply horse hay are imploring him to keep the bill intact.
The legislation would authorize five new casinos, including one for Chicago, and slot machines at Chicago airports and at horse racing tracks. The bill would allow for a new racing facility at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and permit the state’s existing 10 casinos to expand.
It is a 400-page anthology of political horse trades that supporters, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, said could unravel with any swipe of Mr. Quinn’s veto pen. The governor has called the bill “excessive.”
That worries stakeholders in Illinois horse racing, who are counting on the bill to save their industry. “If you eliminate any parts of that bill, you would lose support and the whole thing could go down in flames,” said Tony Somone, executive director of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, “Quite frankly, it scares the hell out of me.” |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
