Gambling issues divide GOP governor candidates
SPRINGFIELD - The issue of gambling offers clear divisions among the candidates for governor.
In the Republican primary, gambling expansion splits the seven candidates. Some say they oppose all gambling. Others offer conditional opposition and say they'd be willing to consider expansion if the cause was right.
It's a key issue, as lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn last year legalized payouts from video gambling machines like the "Cherry Masters" poker and slot arcades frequently found in bars and expanding video gambling devices to restaurants with liquor licenses. Lawmakers' suspicion is some bartenders have paid out under the table on such devices, which are legal for entertainment purposes.
Now, the state wants in on the action by regulating, licensing and taxing the games to help finance billions worth of state construction spending.
In response, dozens of communities throughout the state have taken advantage of a provision letting them ban such games locally, and there's yet to be a single legally, taxed video gambling hand played in the state.
With that as the background for the debate, the Daily Herald asked all the candidates for governor in the primary contests for their views on gambling.
The Republican candidates are: Hinsdale businessman Adam Andrzejewski, Bloomington state Sen. Bill Brady, Hinsdale state Sen. Kirk Dillard, former party chairman Andy McKenna of Chicago, political consultant Dan Proft from Chicago, former state Attorney General Jim Ryan of Elmhurst, and Bob Schillerstrom, a Naperville resident and chairman of the DuPage County Board.
Andrzejewski says he opposes gambling expansion and supports local bans. But he said he would not work to repeal the state law if elected. Instead, he said he'd use the video gambling dollars to help prop up the state budget rather than pay for construction projects, which he said was larded up with unnecessary projects that could be cut.
Brady, on the other hand, said he opposes all gambling expansion. He voted against the video gambling provision.
"We as a state should not be relying on expanding gambling to fund Illinois government," he said in responding to a Daily Herald questionnaire. "With limited entertainment dollars among our citizens, it is neither a financially reliable source of revenue nor a proper funding mechanism for a capital (construction) program."
Meanwhile, Dillard supported the video gambling law, "because a modern infrastructure is essential to maintaining a healthy economy and one of the top reasons that business choose to locate in a state."
Dillard said the local opt-out was key to his support and he'd rather see the sales tax on gasoline used to fund construction.
Despite his vote for video gambling, Dillard said as governor he would oppose gambling expansion.
In 1999, Dillard voted for allowing dockside gambling, ending the riverboat casino cruises and allowing casino patrons to come and go as they pleased, which greatly increased casino profits and state tax revenue. The money from this deal was supposed to help the horse racing industry and provide money for athletic stadium and arena improvements at public universities.
Brady, who was in the Illinois House at the time, voted against the 1999 dockside expansion law, which also opened Cook County for a casino that was targeted for Rosemont.
Dillard and Brady are the only two Republicans with a voting record on this issue.
McKenna said he generally opposes gambling but would consider it if the price is right.
"However, if a specific proposal came forward that significantly enhanced revenue, as Governor, I would consider it on its merits before deciding whether to sign or veto it," he said.
Proft said his opposition is absolute and he'd push to repeal the video gambling law. "I oppose expanding gambling because it is simply a crutch for unimaginative and cynical Springfield politicians who do not want to make any tough decisions," he said.
Proft argued there's enough money elsewhere in the state budget that video gambling isn't needed.
Ryan also said he's generally opposed to gambling expansion but "would keep an open mind."
Schillerstrom has made video gambling opposition a key component of his campaign, but that doesn't mean he's against all gambling.
"I am willing to discuss slot machines at horse tracks and a highly regulated Chicago casino. Both of these options are in line with my belief in keeping gambling at specific destinations where it already occurs, and my continued opposition to new community venues such as the restaurants and bars where video poker was proposed," Schillerstrom said.
The Republican primary is Feb. 2, though early voting has already begun.