Gambling Expansion (SB 1849)

State Representative Lou Lang (D-Skokie) successfully pushed his anti-family gambling expansion bill through the Illinois General Assembly in the final days of the legislative session. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is also lobbying for a downtown casino, promising to invest the city’s ill-gotten booty into investment projects including school renovations and other capital projects.

SB 1849 would legalize a city-owned casino for Chicago, land-based casinos in Danville, Rockford, Park City, South Suburbs of Chicago, expansion of 6,000 more gambling positions at existing casinos, and add video slot machines at 6 racetracks.

SB 1849 passed both the Illinois House and the Illinois Senate during the final days of May 2012.