August 24, 2006

Gambling Expansion Alert

Gubernatorial Candidate Reveals Gambling Expansion Proposal

Yesterday, Gubernatorial Candidate Judy Baar Topinka announced her plan for a casino in Chicago and more than doubling the size of the existing casinos as the "centerpiece" of her candidacy and to help fund education. While casinos are currently limited to 1,200 gambling positions, this proposal would expand that to 3,000! This is a huge expansion of gambling.

Earlier this summer Governor Blagojevich revealed his plan to sell or lease the Lottery to fund education. Gambling is an unreliable source of income. The public knows that gambling has not and cannot solve the budget or education problems in Illinois. This is an election year, and candidates will attend public functions throughout the state. Let Gubernatorial and Legislative Candidates know you oppose the expansion of gambling, and ask for their commitment to oppose these gambling expansion proposals.

For Immediate Action

Contact the Governor (800-642-3112) and your state Legislators (217-782-2000) and ask them to oppose these expansions of gambling.
Check the ILCAAAP web site www.ilcaaap.org to see if the candidates in your district have returned their Legislative Candidate Survey on gambling-related issues. If they have not, download a copy of the survey and ask them to state their position before the election. (Call ILCAAAP at 1- 877-204-6863 for the names of candidates in your district.)
Send a letter to the editor of your local paper expressing opposition to expansion of gambling.
Forward to 6 others and share with your churches.