Governor Quinn of Illinois is currently weighing two different proposals in a bid to close the growing budget deficit in the state. One of them is a gambling package that has the potential to bring $1 billion per year for the state, while the other is a plan to raise income tax. It seems, however, that Governor Quinn is swinging more in the direction of choosing the latter option in the upcoming fall veto session.
There is a flurry of activity by State Democrats to push through legislation that will see the expansion of gambling in Illinois, including the authorization of casinos in Chicago, Park City, Danville and another, as yet to be identified south southern location. In addition, existing casinos will be allowed to expand the number of gambling machines they have in place, and six race-tracks will be allowed to introduce slot machines.
But while the Democrats hope to get the bill passed before the Governor makes his decision, Quinn has already hinted on the direction of his choice. “I haven’t seen the proposal, but it sounds top heavy to me,” he said. He expressed pessimism that such a plan could work, and indicated his preference to raise individual income tax to 4% instead. Speaking of the income tax proposal, Quinn said that “that should precede everything else.”
He did, however, promise to give the gambling package a good look. “I’ll look at everything,” he said. “I have an obligation to examine any bill that at least passes.”
Ironically, this week Quinn appeared in Chicago to tout a new lottery game. At a press conference he said: “You can’t gamble your way to prosperity. I think we have to understand in Illinois that we have some gambling. But do we want to expand it and make Illinois the Las Vegas of the Midwest? Not in my opinion.”
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