August 1, 2007
The Honorable Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor of Illinois
207 Statehouse
Springfield, IL 62706
Dear Governor Blagojevich:
I would like to share a letter from a young man who knows first hand how gambling impacts the family. Expanding gambling will increase gambling addiction and harm even more families.
"As you are working to resolve Illinois's budgetary crisis, I hope you will not consider any plan that allows for the expansion of gambling.
My mother is a gambling addict. She is also a grandmother, a former doctor's wife, and a nurse. She has returned to work after a brief retirement where she lost her savings, the proceeds from the sale of her house, her 401K, and a small inheritance. I am convinced that she would not have become addicted had Illinois not decided to allow riverboat casinos (her favorite was the Empress in Joliet). Now that she is 68, I'm wondering if she will work until she dies or if the financial burden for caring for her will ever shift to my siblings and me. Because of the shame she still feels over her addiction, she has asked that I not use my last name in this letter.
I am a public high school English teacher. Why would my school face budgetary concerns if the arrival of casinos had promised schools additional funds? I see it as further proof that the promise of casinos providing Illinois with additional funds has, all along, been a false promise.
I am concerned about what will happen to Illinois citizens, let alone the educational and economic environment, because some legislators still have faith in the false promise of casino gambling.
Anita Bedell, the director of Illinois Churches Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems, has my contact information if you would like to talk to me about this issue. In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers are with you." Respectfully, Todd R.
Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems and our statewide network are concerned about the latest reports that a casino for Chicago, additional gambling positions, and other gambling expansion proposals are being considered in the budget talks. We ask that you take gambling "off the table" in the budget negotiations-NO MORE GAMBLING!
Gambling is an unstable source of revenue that promises more than it delivers. Gambling has not solved the budget, school, or construction problems in the past, and it cannot do it now.
Sincerely,
Anita Bedell
Executive Director