Two 56th Dist. candidates on gambling: State needs it vs. society doesn't
On the issue of expanding gambling in Illinois, the two candidates in the Democratic primary for 56th District state representative are as distinct as heads and tails.
Challenger John Moynihan recognizes a practical value for the state's finances in expanding gambling. Incumbent Paul Froehlich believes such benefits aren't worth the social costs they'd bring.
"There is a regressive feature," Froehlich said of the public benefits of gaming. "It's not the affluent who are going there."
Froehlich, of Schaumburg, said he opposes the current push to double the presence of casino gaming in Illinois. In fact, he said he probably wouldn't consider much beyond awarding the final casino license under the current gaming plan.
He refers to the new pressure as an attempt to transform the Chicago area into "Las Vegas East."
"Will it raise some revenue? Yes, no question," Froehlich said. "There are also social costs to making gambling such a big part of your state economy."
Moynihan, while an avowed nongambler, sees the controlled expansion of gaming as part of a way out of Illinois' perennial budget woes.
In particular, he believes that revenue from a gambling expansion could pay off the $45 billion debt of Illinois' underfunded pension obligations in about 20 years.
Moynihan, also a Schaumburg resident, believes in earmarking part of the proceeds for transportation and education, too. And once pension obligations are no longer an insurmountable debt, the funds going to these two other areas could be increased, he said.
He said he's not blind to the potential for gambling addiction and believes that some part of gaming revenues should be devoted to helping people with such problems.
Moynihan favors many restrictions on any expansion he'd endorse, however.
"I would oppose any city, especially one the size of Chicago, getting the right to police itself," he said.
He'd expect higher monitoring and accountability than that, he said.
Moynihan believes any community should be able to prohibit a casino or gaming facility within its borders if it's unwanted. He'd also try to put gambling locations where they'd maximize the potential for tourist dollars, such as downtown Chicago or near O'Hare International Airport.
He'd also consider locations like Chicago's South Side if the case could be made that a casino would trigger other economic development.
Because of the extremely high profits being generated by Illinois' present "oligopoly" of casinos, Moynihan wonders if temporary rather than permanent licenses might be a way for the state to exercise tighter control.
Froehlich, 57, has held the 56th District seat since 2003, but this is his first election since switching to the Democratic Party. Moynihan, 41, is an attorney specializing in financial cases who's making his first run for elected office.
The 56th District is primarily Schaumburg but also takes in parts of Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Roselle and Bloomingdale. The primary is Feb. 5.