Illinos Democrats propose slots for racetracks

Illinois House Democrats said Monday they will introduce an expanded gaming bill to help pay for a state capital construction plan that would include putting 3,600 slot machines at five racetracks.

Illinois legislative leaders from both parties have had meetings with Gov. Rod Blagojevich for several weeks in an effort to reach an agreement on how to aide the financially strapped Chicago Transit Authority and pay for a capital construction program in downstate Illinois. The announcement Monday indicates the two sides are getting closer to a compromise.   

According to an Associated Press story, a bill that Representatives Lou Lang and Bob Molaro say they will introduce would propose two new casinos--including one in Chicago, increase gaming positions at existing riverboats, and rebid the state’s 10^th riverboat casino license that was awarded to the community of Rosemont nearly four years ago, but until just recently has been tied up in courts due to allegations of organized crime connections. According to a 1999 law, the horse racing industry would receive 15 percent of the gross revenue from the 10^th riverboat.    

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