A new gambling expansion plan is moving to the full Illinois Senate, just days after Governor Pat Quinn vetoed a similar plan.
The Senate Executive Committee voted 10 to 4 today in favor of the bill: it calls for five new casinos, including one in Rockford. Casino licensees would also be allowed to apply for an online gambling license. Slot machines would be legal at Chicago’s Midway and O’Hare airports.
Under this bill, profits generated by the expansion would be allocated to education: that’s something Governor Pat Quinn hinted he would support in his budget address. Internet gambling profits would be split, with some going toward the state’s pension shortfall.
Governor Quinn vetoed an earlier gambling plan, saying he wanted more safeguards and ethical protections.
The cities in line to gain casinos under this legislation are Rockford, Chicago, Chicago’s south suburbs, Danville, and Lake County.
