The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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May 31, 2009

Casino bill passes Senate

STAFF REPORT

SPRINGFIELD — The hopes for a riverboat casino remain alive in the Illinois General Assembly, but it could be months before a final decision is made.

Members of the Illinois Senate passed a bill 30-28 late Saturday night to expand riverboat casinos. Cities in line for a casino include Danville, Chicago, Waukegan and Rockford/Port Royal, according to state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville.

“That means the bill will come to the House,” Black said late Saturday night. “We’re scheduled to adjourn Sunday, and it has to be on the calendar for three days before we can act on it. So it doesn’t look like we’ll get to it until the fall veto session or unless we’re called back in this summer, and I don’t think that will happen.”

In addition to the four new casinos, the bill adds up to 800 gambling slots at existing casinos, according to The Associated Press.

Legislators in favor of the gambling expansion hope to see as much as $1 billion a year in revenue.

The gambling expansion bill came as legislators tried to put together a budget before Sunday’s midnight deadline. Members of the House rejected a temporary income tax increase earlier Sunday, leaving state agencies facing the prospect of deep cuts.

Black said Saturday such cuts could put agencies such as Crosspoint Human Services in a financial pinch.

Danville officials hope the casino proposal passes this fall.

Two years ago, an Edwardsville company — 37-2 Capital Corp. — purchased 22 acres in Danville along the Vermilion River near Interstate 74 and Perrysville Road in anticipation the city would someday land a license.

A marketing study projected strong support for a Danville casino from Indiana residents from Lafayette to Indianapolis to Terre Haute, Black said Saturday. Members of the Danville City Council passed a resolution supporting a casino several years ago.

If the proposal passes the Illinois House, it could mean a $600 million construction project for the casino, as many as 1,000 new jobs to the city and a monthly revenue of as much as $1 million to be split among the city, Vermilion County and other organiza-tions.

“It’s a real opportunity for jobs,” Black said.

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