Details of gambling expansion legislation
The massive gambling plan awaiting action by Gov. Pat Quinn is one of the most complex pieces of legislation lawmakers approved this year. Here’s a look at some of the details.
Ÿ Race tracks in Cook County like Arlington Park could have 1,200 slot machines.
Ÿ Tracks’ slot machines can be available to the public anytime they have live or simulcast racing.
Ÿ Five new land-based casinos could be built in Park City, Chicago, the South suburbs, Rockford and downstate Danville.
Ÿ The Chicago casino could operate slot machines at O’Hare and Midway International Airports, beyond ticketing and security.
Ÿ Existing Illinois casinos could become land based and expand, and they get tax credits.
Ÿ All new casinos need to be built to environmentally friendly standards.
Ÿ Applicants for casino licenses must show they’ve tried to reach certain standards of minority and female ownership.
Ÿ The Illinois Gaming Board, in choosing a company to award a casino license, must consider minority ownership.
Ÿ Revenue generated up front from new license fees would be used to pay the state’s debt.
Ÿ Other revenues would be split among state and local governments, as well as several downstate programs such as agriculture research, state fairs and 4H.
_ Mike Riopell