Gaming expansion moves through Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills, says legislation that would expand gaming revenues in the state will help put Illinois’ fiscal house back in order.

The measure passed the Senate on Wednesday and now moves to the House for further consideration.

“We need to be looking at all avenues to shore up our fiscal house,” Link said. “A part of that solution should be gaming expansion.”

Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Link, would authorize the building of six new casinos throughout Illinois, including locations in Chicago and Lake County. The proposal will increase revenues for the state and local communities and would also create thousands of part-time and full-time jobs at casinos and racinos across the state.

“States like Indiana and Wisconsin are scooping up our gaming revenues because of the lack of opportunity in Illinois,” Link said. “That money could be spent on our schools, our social services and our fiscal problems. This legislation will allow us to do that.”

The legislation also would allow current riverboats or casinos to expand from 1,200 machines per location to 1,600 machines.