The Veto Session is November 27-29, December 4-6, and possibly January 2-9, 2013.  Governor Patrick Quinn (D-Chicago) told the Associated Press he believes a compromise on gambling is in the offing.  State Representative Lou Lang (D-Skokie), sponsor of the massive gambling expansion bill (SB 1849) said House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has orchestrated discussions designed to lead to a deal.  

According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, an override would have to start in the Illinois Senate, where SB 1849 received the minimum number of votes (30) for passage.  Sponsors of the massive gambling expansion bill (SB 1849) are counting votes for a potential override of the bill, or they may try to introduce a new bill.    

One of the arguments used to expand gambling is that slots at the tracks will help agriculture. Horse racing revenue declined when casino gambling was legalized in Illinois.  Legalizing more slot machines at 6 racetracks and 5 new casinos will not increase betting on horses.  SB 1849 includes a provision whereby the number of live racing days may be decreased without affecting the tracks ability to conduct video and slot machines gambling. 

Iowa allowed dog tracks to operate casinos only on the condition that casino profits would subsidize dog racing, even though wagering on races has dwindled and crowds are sparse.  Casino owners have tried to change the law to eliminate the races and pay a set fee to the State.  Live racing is costly.  

Take ACTION:  Click HERE to send an email to Gov. Quinn, your state senator and state representative asking them to uphold the veto of SB 1849. Then please follow up with a phone call to the Governor’s office to leave the same message, “No More Gambling!”     (Phone:  312-814-2121, 217-782-6830, or 800-642-3112.)

Governor Patrick Quinn must decide if he will veto the massive gambling bill  SB 1849 today or tomorrow. This bill, sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Lincolnshire) and State Representative Lou Lang (D-Skokie), would authorize five new casinos in Illinois. These casinos would be located in the cities of Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Park City, and one in the southern suburbs of Chicago. It would also add video slot machines at the existing six horse race tracks, bringing the total number of casino-like establishments in Illinois to twenty-one.  

The Chicago casino would have 4,000 gambling positions, over twice as many as the other casinos. The three racetrack casinos in Cook County would have 1,200 gambling positions — the same size as existing casinos. 

The research is clear — the presence of a gambling facility within 50 miles roughly doubles the prevalence of problem and pathological gamblers, according to a study by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. There is enormous potential for many new gambling addicts in Chicagoland alone. This is not good public policy.

This bill passed the Illinois House on May 23, 2012 by a vote of 69-47-2 and then passed the Illinois Senate on May 31, 2012 by a vote of 30-26-3. It was sent to Gov. Quinn on June 29, 2012.

The deadline for Governor to sign or veto SB 1849, the massive gambling expansion bill, is Tuesday, August 28th.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send Gov. Quinn an email or a fax asking him to veto SB 1849. Then please follow up with a phone call to the Governor’s office to leave the same message, “Please veto SB 1849!”  

The toll-free number to Gov. Quinn’s off is Call 800-642-3112.  Please do this today!

According to an article in the Daily Herald newspaper,  Gov. Quinn says he isn’t sure if he will veto this terrible anti-family gambling bill. He needs to receive a flood of calls and emails today encouraging him to follow through on his veto threat. Even the Chicago Tribune called for a veto of this legislation in a recent Op/Ed.

How did they vote?

SB 1849, the massive gambling expansion bill, barely passed the Illinois Senate tonight by a vote of 30-26 with three voting present — just an hour and half before the official end of the Spring Session.  This vote, however, falls short of the 36 votes needed to over-ride a potential (and anticipated) veto by Governor Patrick Quinn.  Sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Lincolnshire), this legislation authorizes five new casinos — including one in the City of Chicago — and adds video slot machines at the existing six horse race tracks.  This would bring the total number of casino-like establishments in Illinois to twenty-one.  

Unfortunately, Republicans Matt Murphy (Palatine) and Dave Syverson (Rockford) both took to the floor to support SB 1849, urging their colleagues to vote in favor of this anti-family legislation.  Republicans Larry Bomke (Springfield), David Luechtefeld (Okawville), Carole Pankau (Bloomingdale), and Ron Sandack (Downers Grove) also voted in favor of SB 1849.

Click HERE to see the official voting record of how your state senator voted or look below at the graphic.

Thankfully, media reports suggest that Gov. Quinn remains opposed to this bill.  Last week, Quinn told ABC7 Chicago Political Reporter Charles Thomas that this bill “has ethical loopholes you can drive a truck through, and that is not acceptable.”  Thomas continued to report that the “governor repeated his vow Thursday to veto the gaming expansion bill in its current form if it is passed by the senate.”

Take ACTION: Encourage Gov. Quinn to follow through on his veto threat.  Click HERE to send Gov. Quinn an email or a fax to ask him to veto SB 1849.  You may want to remind him that he promised not to expand gambling when he originally ran for Lieutenant Governor.

You can also contact the Governor by phone at 800-642-3112.