Mulligan calls for space between Rivers, future Chicago casinos

SPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, a Des Plaines Republican, hopes to create at least 20 miles of distance between any future Chicago casino and the already-open Rivers Casino.

She proposed legislation this month that is designed to protect the Des Plaines casino from close-by competition. While she does not want to prevent Chicago from having a casino, Mulligan said she wants to make sure it does not take business away from Rivers.

“We’re not Las Vegas,” Mulligan said. “Having casinos all next to each other is not something we want.”

Nearly identical legislation was introduced last May by Mulligan, but it was never debated. The 20 miles from the Rivers Casino could cover much of Chicago, including the Loop.

Whether lawmakers will ever even approve a Chicago casino is a big question, which Mulligan acknowledged. She is not running for re-election in November.

“Casino legislation is difficult to work in Illinois,” she said.