Des Plaines' Rep. Moylan aims to prevent Chicago casino
State Rep. Marty Moylan filed legislation Wednesday that would prevent a downtown Chicago casino from being built, in an attempt to protect the share of revenue the city of Des Plaines gets from Rivers Casino.
Moylan's bill would prevent any casino from being built in Chicago that is within 20 miles of Rivers, though the legislation leaves open the door to a casino on Chicago's far South and Southeast sides.
Des Plaines has received about $30 million in gambling tax revenues since Rivers opened in 2011, when Moylan was mayor of Des Plaines. The revenues have been used to pay down the city's debt, and on infrastructure and flood control projects.
Moylan, a Des Plaines Democrat, said he's opposed to any gambling expansion that doesn't include reimbursement for lost revenue to Des Plaines.