Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is confident that his veto of a proposed gambling expansion in Illinois will stand.
Tuesday, the Chicago Democrat rejected the plan for five new casinos. Quinn says he objected because of sparse ethical protections. Quinn could have used his amendatory veto power to change parts he didn't like. But the governor said Tuesday that there's too much wrong with the bill. Anita Bedell, Executive Director of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems, agrees with Quinn. She says there is enough gambling in Illinois. Bedell says gambling has not solved any of the state's economic problems.
Bill sponsors say they plan to push forward and override Quinn's veto. Though former state representative Bill Black, who heads the Revenue and Jobs Alliance, says an override in the Senate may be difficult. Supporters of the bill estimated it could have brought in up to $1 billion a year, boosted tourism and created 100,000 jobs. The proposal would have established a Chicago casino and added riverboat casinos in Danville, Park City, Rockford and an undecided location in Chicago's south suburbs.
