CHICAGO (AP) – A state lawmaker panel is hearing testimony from gambling experts from around the country as proposals to add casinos and slot machines in Illinois are pending.
The plans before legislators in the final weeks of the spring session include one adding a casino in Chicago. Another plan calls for five casinos, including in Chicago.
Shawn Bailey is a senior vice president at Kentucky’s Churchill Downs Inc. He says the horse racing industry is suffering and should have a shot at slots at tracks.
Lawmakers have approved gambling expansion plans before, but former Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed proposals.
Gov. Bruce Rauner says he’s open to gambling expansion. Chicago’s WBBM-AM reported Monday (http://cbsloc.al/1IGfHn3 ) that Rauner says there are negative aspects to communities, but expanding gambling can also create jobs and generate revenues.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
