Last night, the Illinois State Senate passed a huge gaming expansion bill, that includes a Chicago land-basd casino, to fund capital projects and a Chicago-area mass transit bailout:
The gambling legislation would authorize three new casinos -- a land-based one in Chicago and two riverboats at unspecified locations. The casino proceeds would fund the construction plan and assist mass transit until a more permanent funding agreement could be reached.
The Chicago area mass-transit systems would get $200 million from a one-year loan that would tide over the systems until that permanent solution is determined, said Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago), who sponsored the casino legislation.
The construction program, worth about $25 billion in local, state and federal funds, would be the most far-reaching public works initiative in eight years.
Jones' favorite college, Chicago State University, could reap millions of dollars from a new riverboat as part of an arrangement set out in a prior law.
State Senator Mike Frerichs voted in favor of the plan. He will claim that he did so to support the possibility of locating a casino in Vermilion County.
CapFax has a lot, lot more. At this point, the plan's fate in the State House is uncertain.
UPDATE: From the News-Gazette:
"I had a lot of constituents from Danville who said they would like to have a chance at a casino," Frerichs said. "This gives them an opportunity to compete for that. Also, there are a lot of critical projects in my area that will be funded by this capital program, for roads, schools, the university and other important projects.
"This is not a perfect bill; there are some changes that I would like to make, but all in all I think it's good for the area."
As if fleecing the taxpayers couldn't be any more obvious.
One can only hope there are less politicians under election "you owe mes" in the House than Frerichs et al in the Senate.
'Gambling will only be allowed on boats, while moving on the water.'
'Vehicles will not be stopped just for failure to wear a seatbelt.'
'This is just a temporary income tax increase.'
Man, they've got a million of them over there in Springfield.
WHAT, no increase in cigarette taxes?! I thought the modern theory of government financing included both gambling expansion and cigarette taxes.
God forbid the expenses of everyone, be paid by everyone...
and God forbid balancing the budget, or heaven save us if we did something so dastardly, as to pay down the debt.
Much better that nicotine, and gambling addicts should pay the way for everyone. Let's raise the taxes on vices %5000 and then nobody will have to pay income OR property taxes..
It was very courageous of Mike Frerichs to vote for this.
"It was very courageous of Mike Frerichs to vote for this."
Yes but its another payment on his 'Jones election debt'.
Yes, the whole budget process is the greatest example of fiscal integrity I have ever seen? I am sure any company or federal government (think Future Gen) thinking of doing business in the state of Illinois would have no reason for concern when dealing with our state government. Those large companies will have full confidence that the government will meet all funding needs in any agreement. All the state will have to do is sell cigarettes to kids, when other funding area’s gambling and adult smoking markets are saturated.
This does not mean I don't think we don't need the Capitol budget or other spending, it means we don't need the massive increase in new programs by the Governor.
Surprisingly Gordy forgot to mention that the man Judy Myers would have supported, Frank Watson, also voted for this. Also supporting this bill was noted pawn of Emil Jones, Dale Righter. This was a bipartisan bill but Gordy makes it seem that this was just a Democrat bill to once again attack Frerichs. Does anyone still think that Gordy has any objectivity or credibility when commenting on the State Senate?
"Surprisingly Gordy forgot to mention that the man Judy Myers would have supported, Frank Watson, also voted for this. Also supporting this bill was noted pawn of Emil Jones, Dale Righter. This was a bipartisan bill but Gordy makes it seem that this was just a Democrat bill to once again attack Frerichs. Does anyone still think that Gordy has any objectivity or credibility when commenting on the State Senate?"
I linked to the roll call vote, which illustrates how everyone voted, and pointed out how my State Senator voted, along with what I (correctly) expected his explanation to be.
Other than that, I made no commentary or criticism whatsoever on Emil Jones or the bill or Sen. Frerichs' vote.
By not criticizing him at all, do you think I was too hard on him?