IL House Approves Chicago Casino

The Illinois House approved an expansion to gambling in the state, including casinos in Chicago and four other cities, despite objections from Gov. Pat Quinn. 

The bill passed 69-47, but would need two more votes to overturn a potential veto from Quinn. House Speaker Michael Madigan and Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Curry both voted "present," and could potentially vote for the bill if Quinn vetoed it. Curry has supporting gambling expansion in the past.

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Quinn said he did not plan on signing the bill, which allows slot machines at racetracks and does not ban campaign contributions from gambling industry lobbyists--both key sticking points for the governor.

“It’s ironic that on the very day that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald announced his resignation, the Illinois House would pass a gambling bill that continues to have major ethical shortcomings,” Quinn said in a prepared statement.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) says the bill could add between $300 million and $1 billion to the state's economy, and would not pass without slots at racetracks. 

The House and Senate passed gambling legislation last year, but without enough votes to overturn a promised veto from Quinn. 

See how the House voted below:

 

 

 

 

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