January 10, 2008
Update on Gambling Legislation
The House adjourned without considering the massive gambling expansion bill (HB 4194). The House and Senate both passed a stand-alone mass transit bill and did not link a capital construction bill to gambling expansion as proposed. Just as we thought we could breath a sign of relief that we had escaped the largest gambling expansion proposal in the history of the State, the governor announced his plan to amend the transit bill. Legislators will have to come back to Springfield to vote again.
Some downstate lawmakers said it was a mistake for their colleagues to vote for a Chicago transit plan before there is an agreement on a plan to repair and build roads, bridges and schools. "What ticks me off, though, is our House Democratic colleagues," said Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, saying they should have withheld their support for a transit fix in hopes of getting a construction plan. http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/01/11/front_page/22915158.txt
'I think it is patently unfair not to pass a comprehensive transportation funding bill,' said Assistant Senate Republican Leader Todd Sieben (R-Geneseo). 'For the past year, we have talked about the need for a comprehensive bill to address transportation issues from top to bottom, from east to west, across the whole state of Illinois.' http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=369802
In contrast, Republican Senator Kirk Dillard of Naperville said in support of the bailout plan, "The chances of passing a capital bill with gambling as the revenue source are about as great as the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in the next 10 years." We hope he's right, but gambling is still not off the table. By the grace of God and the help of each of you, we will continue to be vigilant. http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=369781
Thank you to all who made calls or visited Legislators, wrote Letters to the Editor, or signed and/or circulated petitions. Thank you, too, to those who came to Springfield for the Rally and those who attended or testified at the hearings in Chicago and Springfield.
Special thanks to those who came to Springfield on Tuesday to testify/attend the hearing on HB 4194: Laura Dean Friedrich, from Protestants for the Common Good and Doug Dobmeyer represented the Chicago Task Force to Oppose Gambling in Chicago, Randall Blakey, spokesperson, and Ken DeJong from Citizens 4 our Community in Lynwood, Pastor Glenn Steward and Rev. Bill Owens from Waukegan, Elizabeth and Charles Finley from the Illinois WCTU. They did a great job and made an impact. Speaker Madigan attended the entire two-hour hearing as well as all the statewide media. Many gambling interests either oppose HB 4194 or would like to amend the bill. It's not a "done deal".
We applaud activists from Arlington Heights who asked their Village Board to protect their community from the Legislative attempt to over turn Home Rule and an ordinance banning slot machines in the village. (HB 4194 legalizes slot machines at the racetrack in Arlington Heights). The Village Board will address the issue at their meeting on January 22. Call Aldermen and pack the room!
Plan to attend the Faith, Family, & Future Rally at the Capitol on Thursday, May 8. We invite organizations, grassroots groups, and churches to display materials in the Rotunda.