June 2, 2008
Gambling Update & Action Alert
Gambling Bill Passed in the Senate - Not Called for a Vote in the House
It's Not over Yet!
Thank you for your prayers and calls throughout the final days of the session. Our prayers were answered. We give God all the honor and glory!
It's not over yet! The Governor wants the Legislature to pass a balanced budget and a capital construction program by the end of June! We will keep you alerted.
Here is a brief summary of what happened and how the Legislators voted:
The Senate linked 5 bills together for a massive expansion of casino and electronic gambling, Leasing of the Lottery, and capital construction projects. Each of these bills passed in the Senate and were sent to the House for approval.
Click here to see how your Senator voted on the massive gambling expansion bill (HB 2651)
Click here to see how your Senator voted on Leasing the Lottery
HB 1496 (leasing of the Lottery) failed to get out of the House Revenue Committee by 1 vote. The construction plan could not pass in the House without this funding source. The House then voted to table the amendments on HB 2561 (the massive gambling expansion bill), which kept it from being called for a vote. Click here to see the vote that would have allowed the gambling expansion bill to be voted on the House in the final hours of the session.
Summer time affords many opportunities to talk with Legislators and Legislative candidates--community events, picnics, parades, sporting events, etc. Take the time to contact your Legislators about their votes and let others know how they voted.
For Immediate Action
- Contact your State Senator in his/her District Office. If your Senator voted NO to expand gambling, thank him/her for their vote to protect the citizens in Illinois from more harm.
If your Senator voted YES to expand gambling, convey your disappointment and disapproval. - Write a letter to the editor.
- Share the voting records and this Alert with your church, synagogue, or mosque.
- Forward to 10 others.