Opposition grows to video gambling deal

Five Cook County commissioners are urging Gov. Pat Quinn to veto video gambling in bars, restaurants and clubs, saying the deal will create "an increased risk of crime, foreclosure and bankruptcy."

"Legalizing video poker to fund the (public works) plan is building our state's future on a house of cards," reads the letter to Quinn signed by five women commissioners.

The commissioners represent elite suburbs and inner-city neighborhoods alike and their letter adds to growing condemnation of a complex deal that breezed through the legislature last week.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has called the plan a "horrible idea" that will increase crime in bars and be impossible to adequately regulate.

The legislation allows up to five slot-like video games in every liquor licensed establishment, club and truck stop. It would bring in about $400 million to help back a $29 billion public works spending plan.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, expressed unease with the legislation Wednesday, but declined to get involved.

Durbin said Quinn "has to live with his decision."

The county commissioners say video gambling will prey on poor citizens and rob families of their income. The plan proposes adding 45,000 video gambling machines across the state - four times as many as are now operating in nine Illinois casinos.

In order to get the promised $400 million, however, gamblers will have to lose nearly $1.5 billion, given the 30 percent tax, the letter points out.

"This is money that will not be spent in local businesses to purchase cars or clothes or appliances, it won't be saved for a rainy day and in some cases it won't be spent to pay the rent," the letter reads.

Proponents of legalized video gambling, which is up and running in about four states, say they are only legitimizing an activity now done illegally. Bar owners currently pay out on illegal machines, they say, and that is revenue the state should use.

A spokesman for the governor issued a statement saying Quinn is "considering all sides of the issue."

The commissioners who signed the legislation include Democrats Bridget Gainer, Earlean Collins and Deborah Sims of Chicago and Joan Murphy of Crestwood as well as Republican Elizabeth Gorman of Orland Park.

The commissioners are essentially asking Quinn to keep his campaign promise. While campaigning for lieutenant governor with Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2006, Quinn pledged to oppose any major gambling expansion.

The commissioners who signed the letter don't necessarily oppose gambling.

Gorman said she signed the letter because she worries about having gambling in every town corner and the added competition well-regulated casinos will face.

"This was something done pretty quickly and not much thought was put into it," she said of the legislation.

Gainer said the revenue projections are also shaky and would be difficult to use as base for a major public works spending spree.

"Shouldn't we just take a minute and look at our options?" she said.