September 14, 2007

Gambling Action Alert

Massive Gambling Expansion Plans

Plans for a Rosemont casino were resurrected this week when Bradley Stephens, who succeeded his father as Mayor, proposed selling the Rosemont Theater to the state for use as a state-owned casino. "Stephens says Blagojeivch supported the plan after Stephen's made a pitch during a series of meetings in Springfield that also involved top legislative leaders", according to the Chicago Tribune. (9/13/2007)

Rep. Jay Hoffman, "the governor's House floor leader and his top legislative advisor" proposed another massive gambling expansion plan, according to today's Capitol Fax. The plan includes two additional casinos, expanding gambling positions at casinos from 1,200 to 2,000, and subsidizing horse racing with 3% of the revenue. The remainder of the money would fund capital construction projects.

"Hoffman said he planned to introduce the bill authorizing the capital program into the House on Monday. He said he expected Emil Jones, the Senate president, to bring the matter up when the statehouse veto session begins during the first week of October. Gov. Rod Blagojevich supports Hoffman's capital projects proposal, according to Rebecca Rausch, a spokeswoman for the governor," the Belleville News-Democrat reported today. Hoffman's plan calls for auctioning off the two new casino licenses, and would double the amount of casino gambling in Illinois.

ILCAAAP will hold a Rally the first week of the Veto Session, on Wednesday, October 3. This will be the prime time to come to the Capitol to show your opposition to more gambling in Illinois. If the licenses will go up for a bid, than any of the communities that have been mentioned as casinos sites are at risk. Grassroots activists from each of these communities need to come to Springfield on October 3 to join with us and let your voices be heard. Tables will be available for groups wishing to set up a display. E-mail or call (877-204-6863) to reserve a space.

For Immediate Action

Call your State Representative and State Senator in their District Offices to tell them NO MORE GAMBLING.
Contact the Governor at www.illinois.gov/gov/contactthegovernor.cfm or call 800-642-3112 and ask him to keep his promise to the voters to oppose the expansion of gambling, including more casinos and more gambling positions.
Make plans to come to the Rally at the Capitol on Wednesday, October 3, and bring a car or bus load from your church. Grassroots lobbying, Speakers, including Rev. Tom Grey, Displays, Gospel Music.
Forward to 10 others.