State Rep. Bob Rita to Hold Public Hearings on Gaming Expansion in Illinois

Lee Edwards | As of Thursday, May 7, 2015

Ill. State Rep. Bob Rita (Dist.-28 )is holding a public hearing in the conference room on the 6th floor of the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St. on May 10 to gauge the public's interest on a casino in Chicago.
Ill. State Rep. Bob Rita (Dist.-28 )is holding a public hearing in the conference room on the 6th floor of the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St. on May 10 to gauge the public's interest on a casino in Chicago.

Ill. State Rep. Bob Rita (Dist.-28) is holding the second of two public hearings on gaming expansion in Illinois on May 11 at 10 a.m. in the conference room on the 6th floor of the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St.

Rita hopes the hearings will provide insight for the best path forward on bringing gambling and casinos to the Chicagoland area. Rita's focus is on the additional tourism and economic benefits that gaming could bring to Chicago.

At a May 4 hearing, Rita joined gaming industry experts from states neighboring Illinois, to discuss how gaming was successful in their regions.

“Our state clearly needs revenue, to close our large revenue gap in Springfield and to put people to work around the state,” said Rita. “We need to better understand how well gaming is doing in other states and how well a Chicago casino could perform as we position expansion in the budget conversation. These hearings will help provide the direction we need to make gaming expansion a strong revenue option this year.”

Rita filed two bills, House Bill 2939 (HB 2939) and House Bill 3564 (HB 3564), at the beginning of the state of Illinois’ legislative session to bring gaming expansion to Illinois.

House Bill 2939 (HB 2939) would create a large casino in Chicago and share revenue around the state.

HB 2939’s synopsis states:

Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Authorizes the Illinois Gaming Board to conduct gambling operations on a riverboat or in a casino, through a licensed manager, within the City of Chicago. Provides that the City of Chicago shall select the site for the gambling operation and acquire, upon consultation with the Capital Development Board, any land necessary for its construction, including by condemnation or eminent domain, and the City of Chicago shall convey to the Illinois Gaming Board property so acquired upon reimbursement to the City of Chicago of the purchase price of the property, plus reasonable interest costs.

House Bill 3564 (HB 3564) would create a large casino in Chicago, casinos in four other areas of the state and allow slot machines at horse racing tracks.

HB 3564’s synopsis states:

Further amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Changes the short title to the Illinois Gambling Act and changes corresponding references to the Act throughout the statutes. Adds 4 additional owners licenses. Authorizes the Illinois Gaming Board to conduct gambling operations on a riverboat or in a casino, through a licensed manager, within the City of Chicago. Provides that the City of Chicago shall select the site for the operation and acquire, upon consultation with the Capital Development Board, any land necessary for its construction, including by condemnation or eminent domain, and the City of Chicago shall convey to the Illinois Gaming Board property so acquired upon reimbursement, plus reasonable interest costs, to the City of Chicago.

Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s is expected to review Rita’s bills before the conclusion of the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session at the end of this month.

“The governor will carefully consider any legislation that crosses his desk and believes decisions on gambling should be done in close consultation with local communities,” said Catherine Kelly, Press Secretary for Gov. Rauner. ​

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/RepBobRita.

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