McHenry County Blog

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.

= = = = =
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.

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.

From Central Illinois comes the sad story of Lewistown Township Supervisor Sheila Gray in Fulton County “embezzling more than $182,000 with which she gambled and covered personal expenses.”

That’s what Peoria TV station WMBD reported in early October.

“Pekin’s former Mayor Lyn Howard is appealing his use of city credit cards for gambling,” the station also reported.

And a third misappropriation of public funds in the Peoria area was also included:

“We tried to question LaWanda Giles, former Bloomington Water dept. office manager…whose city-issued credit card receipts indicated casino spending with public money. Giles pleaded guilty last month. “

All undoubtedly had excuses.

The lesson:

Sometimes you can actually see how casino gambling costs taxpayers money.

I remember there was a McHenry County Sheriff’s deputy who was convicted of stealing from the evidence room for gambling.

And, Illinois legislators are ready to finance roads with more casinos.

How short-sighted.

From Central Illinois comes the sad story of Lewistown Township Supervisor Sheila Gray in Fulton County “embezzling more than $182,000 with which she gambled and covered personal expenses.”

That’s what Peoria TV station WMBD reported in early October.

“Pekin’s former Mayor Lyn Howard is appealing his use of city credit cards for gambling,” the station also reported.

And a third misappropriation of public funds in the Peoria area was also included:

“We tried to question LaWanda Giles, former Bloomington Water dept. office manager…whose city-issued credit card receipts indicated casino spending with public money. Giles pleaded guilty last month. “

All undoubtedly had excuses.

The lesson:

Sometimes you can actually see how casino gambling costs taxpayers money.

I remember there was a McHenry County Sheriff’s deputy who was convicted of stealing from the evidence room for gambling.

And, Illinois legislators are ready to finance roads with more casinos.

How short-sighted.

“You cannot gamble your way to prosperity. Every economist says you can’t do. If it’s decided on the facts, it’s lose-lose.”

That’s what University of Illinois economist John Kindt told Kurt Erickson for his Bloomington Pantograph story of October 10th. Kindt studied gambling since riverboat casinos were approved at the end of the Jim Thompson era.

“You cannot gamble your way to prosperity. Every economist says you can’t do. If it’s decided on the facts, it’s lose-lose.”

That’s what University of Illinois economist John Kindt told Kurt Erickson for his Bloomington Pantograph story of October 10th. Kindt studied gambling since riverboat casinos were approved at the end of the Jim Thompson era.

When I was in the General Assembly, I used to muse that schools didn’t care where more money would come from.

If it came from the syndicate, well, no problem.

That thought came to my head when I read former McHenry County Board member Bill Dwyer’s comment to Daily Herald reporter Kerry Lester on the irrelevance of the funding source to improve roads in McHenry County:

“We’re here to fix McHenry County’s roads. If that’s paid for by gambling money or not, it doesn’t matter. Whatever way the Senate or House passes a capital bill, we’ll take.”

Actually, my take on the school folks’ avarice is pretty close to Dwyer’s comment.

The end justifies the means.

And the “demand” for money that ought to be provided because of “need” is what the gambling folks hope will convince legislators like State Representatives Mike Tryon, Jack Franks and Mark Beaubien to vote to make Illinois the gambling capitol of the Midwest.

It apparently does not matter that Illinois would become second only to Los Vegas in casino presence.

The social fallout is irrelevant.

It doesn’t matter if another McHenry County Sheriff’s deputy falls victim to the disease and finds money to gamble at the courthouse.

It doesn’t matter that people can’t spend money on goods and services if they gamble it away.

That’s a thought not a thought worth considering.

Just so we get roads that were promised a decade ago.

Back when amendments filed by state representatives had to be voted upon before a bill could move forward to passage stage, I introduced one to a casino expansion bill that required the erection of a lighted sign on the top of every riverboat. The sign had to say in very large letters (many, ten foot letters)

“Losing,” after all, is what gambling is all about, isn’t it?

= = = = =
I wasn’t able to attend Bill Dwyer’s rally at the intersections of Route 31 and 62. The picture of Congressman Don Manzullo is from that rally, but in no way indicates his support for expanding gambling in Illinois, a position I would be amazed if he took.