McHenry County Blog

Gov. Pat Quinn dug the Tollway interchange his 88% Toll Tax increase is financing, but not the bill to expand gambling.

A press release from The Task Force to Oppose Casino Gambling for Chicago:

Task Force Applauds Governor Quinn’s Veto of SB1849

The Task Force to Oppose Gambling for Chicago today called Governor Quinn’s  veto of SB1849 a courageous political act. Despite pressure from Mayor Emanuel and others to bring a casinos to Chicago and four other areas, he kept his word to veto the bill.

Doug Dobmeyer, Spokesperson for the Task Force to Oppose Gambling for Chicago said, “The proponents, many not even living in the city want to bleed the city dry. Chicago will dodge a bullet that would have changed the character of Chicago forever.”

The Task Force to Oppose Casino Gambling for Chicago consists of business, civic organizations and religious leaders. The group continues to be in formation.

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Locally State Senator Pam Althoff and Dan Duffy voted against the bill.  State Rep. Kent Gaffney voted “Yes,” while State Reps. Jack Franks and Mike Tryon voted “No.”

The money lost at casinos in Illinois has increase over 20%, but money going to State Aid to Education is up only 2.1%.

One reason is that Illinois has a graduated income tax based on calendar years.

Because Des Plaines opened in July, it’s taxable income is based on six months revenue.

The other Chicago area casinos took huge hits on their gambling revenue, so their tax rates went down.

As you can see, the Des Plaines casino took money from all other Chicagoland casinos. Table: Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

Besides that, the General Assembly sucked money off the top from what otherwise could have gone to education:

• 15% for the Horse Racing Equity Fund
• 2% as a subsidy to Cook County government for law enforcement
• 2% to Chicago State University (thank then-Senate President Emil Jones for that atrocity)

Gambling losses went up 33% in the first nine months of Fiscal Year 2012, according to the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

But the four exiting casinos saw losers bet 12% less.  Elgin, the closest to Des Plaines, had betters lose 19% less.  That amounted to $41 million.

Indiana casinos saw betters lose 4% less or almost $40 million.

Undoubtedly because of the closeness of Des Plaines to Chicago, overall casino gambling loses were up 10.7%.

An op-ed piece submitted by Doug Dobmeyer:

What a Chicago Casino Means for Faith in Government

Government now under fire from so many sectors remain a necessary part of social life in the world, this country and our city. To this point city government has historically been the protector, helpful hand and sometimes arbitrator to citizens of Chicago.

Now, Chicago city government is setting a new course by wanting to become the owner of a casino to enhance the bottom line of money for city coffers.

This move takes the city away from the traditional way of raising money through taxes and fees.

The new method puts the city into the entrepreneurial class that calls for investment and a return of profit for a product.

In this case the product is called an entertainment venue.

Since most gamblers are losers, a happy face must be created for the losers.

Currently casino customers to Illinois’ nine existing casinos lose $102 on average for each visit.

With the move by Chicago to own a casino looms an opportunity for abuse of the city’s citizens and visitors to this world class city.

One concern is the problem gamblers who inhabit the gambling paradise being created. 2001 research published in the Journal of Studies of Alcohol shows 4.2 percent of Latinos, 3.7 percent of African-Americans and .5 percent of Whites have gambling problems.

The math clearly shows that minorities will be carrying the burden of gambling problems.

Chicago’s effort to have a city owned casino is certainly provocative and in some circles considered innovative.

The decision to move ahead with the radical departure from government as it’s been know for centuries comes without an ounce of discussion by the public.

A new mayor, in office for less than a month was instrumental in achieving what the long term former mayor was unable to accomplish in 22 years.

This radical change to the political landscape would reshape Chicago forever.

This change defies the concept of democracy by consolidating power for change in the hands of a very few people with no discussion.

History has shown similar undemocratic moves have proved to be detrimental for citizens.

We know that City Hall is frustrated with property taxes that seemed to have reached a maximum of taxation. Other income streams such as parking fees may have reached their zenith too.

Chicago government has been loath, unlike New York City to consider, let alone enact a city income tax or a tax on stock trades and derivatives. Both of these options would provide sufficient funding to finance city government. The taxation would fall within the traditional format of government.

Chicago has toyed with the entrepreneurial format when it leased the Skyway Bridge and now infamous parking meter deal with mixed results. Consideration has been given to leasing operations at Midway Airport, but the trigger has not been pulled. This inaction shows that Chicago is unsure and uncomfortable about jumping into this entrepreneurial format of government.

A citizen who gets into gambling too deeply will have to rely on self-interested private sector organization as the casino manager or the city as the owner to find assistance for remedies for their gambling problems.

This does not bode well for the problem gambler.

Citizens would be better served if before Chicago enters into any uncharted waters, to have a discussion in an unbiased manner with all sides represented.

If Chicago then decided to go the route of a city owned casino the support would be stronger.

If people through a referendum decided this was not the way to move then the subject should be dropped.

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Doug Dobmeyer is the spokesperson for The Task Force to Oppose Gambling in Chicago. The Task Force made up of civic, religious and individuals has been active in opposing a Chicago casino for the past 22 years.

Monday, the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 744 by a vote of 30 to 27 with two voting “Present.”

The Senate roll call follows. The roll call by state representatives and an explanation of the bill can be found here.

The Senate roll call is below:

Every legislator who lives in McHenry County voted against this massive expansion of gambling in Illinois. State Rep. Mark Beaubien, who lives in the Lake County part of Barrington Hills supported the bill. State Senator Dan Duffy, also from Southeast Lake County, voted against the bill.

When the slot machine, euphemistically call video poker machine bill was passed, not only Beaubien, but his Republican colleagues Mike Tryon and Pam Althoff voted, “Yes.”

Remember the fight at the County Board level?

Patriots United weighed in and won.

Jack Franks

Undoubtedly Althoff and Tryon were told of the tactics used by the social conservatives to marshal support for their position against slot machines in McHenry County.

While the two bills are not the same, they both were/are intended to expand gambling a lot. It seems significant that the county’s two Republicans were not voting “Yes” this time.

Democratic Party State Rep. Jack Franks voted against both bills and explained his position to a forum on video poker run by Patriots United.

And who is that friend who voted for a casino in Chicago and many other places?

State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington Hills).

The 65-50-2 vote roll call is below:

The roll call on the massive expansion of gambling legislation, SB 744.

In McHenry County State Representatives Jack Franks and Mike Tryon voted, “No.” State Rep. Mark Beaubien voted, “Yes.”

This bill will put slot machines at O’Hare and Midway Airports, the State Fair Grounds in Springfield and Illinois racetracks. In addition there will be four new casinos:

You can bet the casinos approved by the Illinois House on Monday won't look like this one in a BP gas station in South Dakota.

• Chicago
• Rockford
• Danville
• Somewhere in the South Suburbs
• Park City just north of Waukegan

Here’s a summary of what is in Senate Bill 744 as it left the Illinois House for Senate concurrence votes. (The State switchboard is 217-782-2000, if you wish to weigh in to McHenry County’s two state senators, Pam Althoff and Dan Duffy.)

House Amendment 1. Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Chicago Casino Development Authority Act. Provides for the creation of the Chicago Casino Development Authority, whose duties include promotion and maintenance of a casino. Creates the Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority Act. Creates the Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority to promote, operate, and maintain horse racing operations through a racing contractor in the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Makes corresponding changes in the State Fair Act. Amends the State Finance Act to create the State Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvement Fund and the Future of Agriculture Fund. Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 and the Riverboat Gambling Act to authorize electronic gaming at race tracks (and makes conforming changes in various Acts). Further amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Makes various changes concerning Board members. Contains provisions concerning testing of horses at county fairs, payments from the Horse Racing Fund, and standardbred horses. Further amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Changes the short title to the Illinois Gambling Act. Adds additional owners licenses, one of which authorizes the conduct of riverboat or land-based gambling in the City of Chicago. Makes changes in provisions concerning the admission tax and privilege tax. Makes other changes. Makes corresponding changes in other Acts. Amends the Video Gaming Act. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board shall issue a provisional license to an applicant for licensure as a licensed establishment, licensed truck stop establishment, licensed fraternal establishment, or licensed veterans establishment if the applicant meets certain criteria. Provides that the Board shall adopt emergency rules to administer the Act within 120 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

House Amendment 2. In the Riverboat Gambling Act, provides that beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act and ending July 1, 2014, from the tax revenue deposited in the State Gaming Fund, $2,000,000 shall be deposited annually into the Foreclosure Prevention Program Fund.

House Amendment 3. Removes new provisions from the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 concerning labor peace agreements.

House Amendment 4. In the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, makes changes to provisions concerning the Depressed Communities Economic Development Board.

House Amendment 5. In the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, provides that upon application the Board may issue a license to the Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority authorizing the pari-mutuel system of wagering on live harness races, inter-track wagering, and simulcast wagering through a racing contractor, as that term is defined in the Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority Act, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Sangamon County. In a provision providing that organization licensees awarded standardbred dates shall run at least 3,500 races in total during that calendar year, provides that standardbred racing conducted in Sangamon County shall not be counted towards the total number of races. Provides that annually, from the purse account of an organization licensee racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, an amount equal to 14.33% shall be transferred to the thoroughbred purse accounts of each of the following: Arlington Park Racetrack, Hawthorne Racecourse, and Fairmount Park Racetrack. Provides that beginning on January 1, 2013, from the purse account of an organization licensee racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, an amount equal to $100,000 shall be transferred into the Illinois Racing Quarterhorse Breeders Fund. Makes other changes.

If you would like to read the entire bill with all the amendments in the right order, you can do it here.

Here’s a press release distributed by the Task Force to Oppose Gambling for Chicago:

House Passes Expansion, Including a Chicago Casino 65-50-2 House

(Chicago, IL…) The Illinois House passed SB744, the gambling expansion bill establishing casinos in Chicago, Park City (near Waukegan, Danville, Rockford and an undisclosed location in South Cook County).

The bill now returns to the Senate for concurrence.

If the Senate concurs, it will go to Governor Quinn for a decision on approval or not.

Quinn has indicated the expansion is too large.

Task Force to Oppose Gambling for Chicago issued the following statement:

“We believe the passage of SB744 is a major mistake. If the bill moves ahead with Senate and Gubernatorial approvals, the nature and culture of Chicago will change forever.

“Citizens of this city have indicated they do not favor a casino. Instead a coalition of non-Chicagoans provided the leadership to pass the bill. It is a very sad day for Chicago that the coming years will prove what a mistake this bill is for Chicago and Illinois.”

When I heard that statewide junior college associations were discussing a casino is Danville, the proceeds of which would go to junior colleges, I was so surprised I couldn’t print here what I thought.

Who could have such a stupid idea?

Yes, I know I tell my son not to use that word, but sometimes it fits.

Education is about meritocracy, not about luck.

Are these junior college association folks as far off mission as the McHenry County (Junior) College Board with its majority’s lust to build a minor league baseball stadium?

Well, guess what?

State Rep. Bill Black of Danville has introduced House Bill 4581.

The veteran Republican’s legislation would site a new casino is an area that sounds suspiciously like his hometown.

At least it would be competitively bid.

Thanks, former State Senator Peter Fitzgerald, for bringing back that idea from Greece.

But, it would not designate the profits to junior colleges.

It should be noted that Black is a former community college administrator, so the junior college association’s talk still might end up in Black’s bill.

When I heard that statewide junior college associations were discussing a casino is Danville, the proceeds of which would go to junior colleges, I was so surprised I couldn’t print here what I thought.

Who could have such a stupid idea?

Yes, I know I tell my son not to use that word, but sometimes it fits.

Education is about meritocracy, not about luck.

Are these junior college association folks as far off mission as the McHenry County (Junior) College Board with its majority’s lust to build a minor league baseball stadium?

Well, guess what?

State Rep. Bill Black of Danville has introduced House Bill 4581.

The veteran Republican’s legislation would site a new casino is an area that sounds suspiciously like his hometown.

At least it would be competitively bid.

Thanks, former State Senator Peter Fitzgerald, for bringing back that idea from Greece.

But, it would not designate the profits to junior colleges.

It should be noted that Black is a former community college administrator, so the junior college association’s talk still might end up in Black’s bill.

It’s the Christmas season and my wife has been watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

So, when I looked at the editorial illustration accompanying Thursday’s Chicago Sun-Times’ editorial endorsing the massive expansion of gambling, I recognized its inspiration.

When the euphemistically called “Riverboat” bill was passed amid outright lying on the house floor, not a single Republican voted for it.

I was so proud of House Republicans. (I was in remission at the time.)

That vote played to the Democrats stereotype of being the party of sin.

And, Democrats got a bonus by legalizing casino gambling.

They got more people who could call themselves “victims.”

Legitimately. They became addicted to gambling.

But, anyone who has any knowledge of Nevada politics knows the hold that the gambling industry has on state politics. The legislators don’t want to be overheard by anyone in Nevada, but at least one told the truth to a McHenry County resident at a legislative convention.

And, anyone with a brain knew that, in a state a corrupt as Illinois, gambling—not “gaming”—interests would end up controlling state politics.

Even House Speaker Mike Madigan has figured this out. Now, he’s for much stricter control, but has not taken that giant step and called for forbidding gambling interests from making political contributions.

Hey. He knows his followers want to be rewarded for their votes by more than a road here and a school there.

Look at who gave money to Republican legislative leaders Frank Watson and Tom Cross after the 2002 election debacle.

Look what large contributor is slotted to get slot machines at his racetrack.

How many years before slot machines are in off-track betting parlors like the between the hospital and the Catholic Church on Bull Valley Road in McHenry?

How soon until every gas station has casino slot machines inside like South Dakota?

Now we have chicken-hearted legislators who want to spend more money, but are afraid to raise taxes.

Generally, they want to spend it on good things, roads, schools, etc.

But they don’t want to see “hit pieces” in the mailbox saying they voted for a tax hike.

But, tell me.

If gas taxes increased in Illinois, would anyone notice?

The price of gasoline can go up or down 20 cents in 24 hours.

Why aren’t suburban and Downstate Republicans demanding that the sales tax on motor fuel be used to repair and widen roads? Illinois is one of the few states that levies both a motor fuel and a sales tax on gasoline. (Actually, the sales tax is on the price of the gasoline and the sales tax. A tax on a tax.)

House GOP Leader Tom Cross actually suggested using the sales tax on MFT to subsidize mass transit.

What an absurd suggestion for the leader of car driving Republican suburbanites and Downstaters!

No surprise when his 1992 legislative House classmate, now Governor Rod Blagojevich, agreed. He could figure out how vulnerable that would make anyone outside of Chicago.

So, maybe enough Democrats and Republicans are ready to cast a vote to turn Illinois into Potterville.

Even some in McHenry County, I’d be willing to bet.

Our children may still be able to hang signs above their doors saying,

but they will be living in Potterville, Illinois.

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The Shell Station Casino is is Souix City, Iowa. The “It’s a Wonderful Life” sign is above the door between our entryway, called the “Echo,” and our home. It’s there all year round. Keely Cat was interested in why I was out there when I took this picture. Chick on the photo to enlarge it if you want to see the sign better. The books on the stairs are the ones I’ve read since coming back from Disney World, where I got through 1400 pages while on the journey there and back, waiting, usually in line, and slacking off in the room trying to get rid of a bad cold.

It’s the Christmas season and my wife has been watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

So, when I looked at the editorial illustration accompanying Thursday’s Chicago Sun-Times’ editorial endorsing the massive expansion of gambling, I recognized its inspiration.

When the euphemistically called “Riverboat” bill was passed amid outright lying on the house floor, not a single Republican voted for it.

I was so proud of House Republicans. (I was in remission at the time.)

That vote played to the Democrats stereotype of being the party of sin.

And, Democrats got a bonus by legalizing casino gambling.

They got more people who could call themselves “victims.”

Legitimately. They became addicted to gambling.

But, anyone who has any knowledge of Nevada politics knows the hold that the gambling industry has on state politics. The legislators don’t want to be overheard by anyone in Nevada, but at least one told the truth to a McHenry County resident at a legislative convention.

And, anyone with a brain knew that, in a state a corrupt as Illinois, gambling—not “gaming”—interests would end up controlling state politics.

Even House Speaker Mike Madigan has figured this out. Now, he’s for much stricter control, but has not taken that giant step and called for forbidding gambling interests from making political contributions.

Hey. He knows his followers want to be rewarded for their votes by more than a road here and a school there.

Look at who gave money to Republican legislative leaders Frank Watson and Tom Cross after the 2002 election debacle.

Look what large contributor is slotted to get slot machines at his racetrack.

How many years before slot machines are in off-track betting parlors like the between the hospital and the Catholic Church on Bull Valley Road in McHenry?

How soon until every gas station has casino slot machines inside like South Dakota?

Now we have chicken-hearted legislators who want to spend more money, but are afraid to raise taxes.

Generally, they want to spend it on good things, roads, schools, etc.

But they don’t want to see “hit pieces” in the mailbox saying they voted for a tax hike.

But, tell me.

If gas taxes increased in Illinois, would anyone notice?

The price of gasoline can go up or down 20 cents in 24 hours.

Why aren’t suburban and Downstate Republicans demanding that the sales tax on motor fuel be used to repair and widen roads? Illinois is one of the few states that levies both a motor fuel and a sales tax on gasoline. (Actually, the sales tax is on the price of the gasoline and the sales tax. A tax on a tax.)

House GOP Leader Tom Cross actually suggested using the sales tax on MFT to subsidize mass transit.

What an absurd suggestion for the leader of car driving Republican suburbanites and Downstaters!

No surprise when his 1992 legislative House classmate, now Governor Rod Blagojevich, agreed. He could figure out how vulnerable that would make anyone outside of Chicago.

So, maybe enough Democrats and Republicans are ready to cast a vote to turn Illinois into Potterville.

Even some in McHenry County, I’d be willing to bet.

Our children may still be able to hang signs above their doors saying,

but they will be living in Potterville, Illinois.

= = = = =
The Shell Station Casino is is Souix City, Iowa. The “It’s a Wonderful Life” sign is above the door between our entryway, called the “Echo,” and our home. It’s there all year round. Keely Cat was interested in why I was out there when I took this picture. Chick on the photo to enlarge it if you want to see the sign better. The books on the stairs are the ones I’ve read since coming back from Disney World, where I got through 1400 pages while on the journey there and back, waiting, usually in line, and slacking off in the room trying to get rid of a bad cold.

It’s been a long time since I looked at a couple of hundred page bill, but I decided to look at the one expanding gambling, House Bill 4194. I didn’t look at the headline stuff–where most of the money would go. I looked at the gambling side.

Besides the fact that the law will no longer has “riverboat” in its title, the most significant thing I found that would likely affect McHenry County is that it appears that betting would be allowed at county fairs. (Page 255.)

At least there’s $7,500 a year available for each county fair to be used for a totalizator system for conducting pari-mutual wagering.

A financial institution’s branch would no longer have to be 1,000 feet from a casino. It just can’t be inside.

Something called “electronic gaming” is added to horse racing and casinos to be considered part of the “gaming industry.” (Page 149.)

And, what’s it mean?

“’Electronic gaming’ means slot machine gambling, video games of chance, and electronic games as defined in the Illinois Gambling Act, that is conducted at a race track pursuant to an electronic gaming license.” (Page 152.)

Wagers may be placed via any method or at any location authorized under this Act.” (Page 151.)

Here’s an interesting definition. Is it talking about the current off-track betting parlors?

“Advance deposit wagering. ‘Advance deposit wagering’ means a method of pari-mutuel wagering in which an individual may establish an account, deposit money into the account, and use the account balance to pay for pari-mutuel wagering authorized by this Act. An advance deposit wager may be placed in person at a wagering facility or from any other location via a telephone-type device or any other electronic means.”

Probably not or we would have read about it in the newspapers.

Any race track cutting back racing dates more than 10% loses its electronic gaming license. (Page 172)

The Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders Fund is taken out from under the requirement to be appropriated by the General Assembly. (Page 254, among other places.)

And what’s this all about?

“’Electronic poker’ is not considered a gambling game as defined by this Act.” (Page 278.)

In addition to any allocated gaming spots, each race track can have another 100 electronic poker machines. (Page 354.)

Looks like competitive bidding as a way to decides who gets a license will be gone:

”If, after reviewing each application for a new or re-issued gaming license, the Board determines that it is in the best interest of the people of the State of Illinois for the the highest prospective total revenue to the State would be derived from State to conduct gambling operations conduct of the gambling operation in lieu of issuing or re-issuing the gaming license…” (Page 337.)

”Competitive Bidding. When the Board issues or re-issues an owners license authorized under Section 7 or determines that it will re-issue an owners license pursuant to an open and competitive bidding process, as set forth in Section 7.1… (Page 341.)

Competitive bidding was an idea that State Senator Peter Fitzgerald brought back from Greece.

Chicago is given eminent domain authority to acquire property by condemnation.