Mayors of casino towns will head back to Springfield next week, continuing the fight against proposed legislation that would allow five new casinos and slots at racetracks in the state.
Representatives from Cities Against Slots at the Tracks, a new coalition made up of mayors from nine towns, traveled downstate last week to talk to legislators and inform them how the gaming proposal would slice into their revenue and negatively affect jobs. Although the legislation is still being discussed in the Senate Gaming Committee, Des Plaines Mayor Martin Moylan said he plans to be there when lawmakers meet again.
Aldermen also have called area legislators about the gaming proposal.
“We have to be vigilant, but we’re not resting still, ” Moylan said.
Midwest Gaming, which is opening a casino in Des Plaines next fall, owes the state roughly $300 million over the next 30 years as part of a bid agreement.
Some of the revenue from the casino also would be shared with communities like Chicago Heights, Dixmoor, Harvey, Summit, Hodgkins, and five others.
“If our revenues are down, (those towns) will suffer also,” Moylan said. “If you have a small budget, this is a shot in the arm.”
Moylan said that mayors from the towns have scheduled a conference call for this week to continue discussions. The coalition also has representatives from Elgin, Joliet, Aurora, Peoria, East St. Louis, Alton, Rock Island and Metropolis. State lawmakers will meet again Nov. 29.
jmdelgado@tribune.com
As the Illinois General Assembly reconvenes for the fall veto session, the slots at the track bill has been receiving much attention and comment. The mayors’ coalition against this bill has been outspoken and their opinions have been heard, but I would like to present an opposing view for the public to consider before making a judgment on this issue.
As someone who is in favor of this bill, I differ with mayors’ coalition’s position. More than a gaming bill, it is a jobs and agricultural bill. Not only will jobs will be lost if this bill does not pass, but an entire industry will no longer exist. Illinois simply must be allowed to compete with the other states that allow slots at the track. We must be on a level playing field to survive. The mayors’ coalition try to say this will negatively impact their cities because there will be a reduction in casino or riverboat revenues. But how will those cities and the rest of the state be affected when thousands of jobs are no longer in existence or businesses have greatly reduced revenues? This will result in a loss of taxes the state currently collect from this industry, not to mention the increase of people and businesses that will be leaving Illinois for jobs in states that recognize the importance of the horse racing industry. There will be those who will not be able to relocate and will be eligible for state assistance programs. This affects not only horsemen who train and race in Illinois and the tracks, but what about the service and security workers, grooms, and maintenance workers? I have personally spoken with many vets, farriers, truck and trailer salesmen, equipment supplies, and many other related businesses. They too are concerned with a loss of income. Illinois agriculture will be impacted. Thousands of Illinois tax dollars are spent on hay and feed. Breeders and breeding farms, which employ many workers, will cease. The list of tax paying jobs tied to horse racing just goes on.
If this bill is passed, an industry and thousands of jobs will be saved and many new jobs, including service and construction will be created. Many of our Illinois trainers and drivers who have been force to leave in order to support their families in states that allow slots at the tracks will return. This bill is not only for the benefit of horse racing but for Illinois in general. In this bill money has been earmarked for county fairs, who are struggling to survive, money for equine education and research at the university level, and capital improvement for much needed state and local projects which includes the cities opposed to this bill and say they fear the loss of city revenue for such projects.
Why should there be a fear of competition? Isn’t that what is known as free enterprise? This is a win win for the citizens of Illinois. An important industry will be saved and much needed revenue for Illinois will be generated.
Rita Williams