Video gambling rejections rile downstate lawmaker
SPRINGFIELD - If Chicago isn't going to allow video gambling, then one Democratic lawmaker says the city shouldn't expect to collect its full allotment of state projects financed, in part, by legalized video gambling.
"If the mayor's not interested in paying for capital projects he shouldn't take them," said state Sen. Mike Jacobs, an East Moline Democrat and outspoken critic of communities who've rejected legalizing video gambling.
Taxes on those machines is a key funding provision backing a $31 billion statewide construction program lawmakers approved last year to build roads, schools, bridges and numerous other projects. Additional funding comes from alcohol taxes and vehicle fees.
But the gambling law included an opt-out for communities. Dozens have done so. Chicago already had a ban on the books and Mayor Richard Daley recently said he doesn't see that changing anytime soon.
"There's no discussion. No one's ever even brought it up," Daley said.
Without Chicago participation, the financing of the construction plan could be seriously hampered. Jacobs said it could kill the program as it currently exists. He raised eyebrows and made headlines earlier this year when he proposed legislation that would allow the state to bill communities that opt out of video gambling in order to have them help pay for the construction projects.
Jacobs said it's unfair for communities to expect to benefit from projects funded by other communities and said Chicago should be no different. Jacobs said if his plan to get money out of anti-gambling communities fails, he'll tell local communities that approved video gambling to undo those votes so they don't end up paying for everyone else's projects.
A spokeswoman for Daley said only that there still is no timetable to consider video gambling in the city. As for the mayor's stand on the gambling itself, "It's not ideal, but it is one suggestion to help fund a state capital bill," said spokeswoman Kate Sansone.
State budget office spokeswoman Kelly Kraft said Gov. Pat Quinn supported the opt-out provision and figured all along some communities would use it. If more keep opting out, eventually the state might need to consider a different funding source to pay off the construction.
"It's up to them," Kraft said.
Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, said Cullerton doesn't support taking projects away from those who say 'no' to video gambling.
And she reminded that Cullerton supported a different funding source all along - higher gas taxes.