Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has vetoed a piece of old gambling legislation that would have added five new casinos and more slot machines.
This was lawmakers' 2011 attempt, but it didn't go to Quinn's desk until the end of session in January. Quinn had opposed the bill, saying it didn't contain enough ethical protections. He vetoed it Monday. The legislation proposed more slot machines at existing casinos and allowed horse tracks to have them. Proponents estimated it would bring in $1.6 billion to pay down overdue bills and more than $500 million annually for schools and state-sponsored construction.
This is the second time Quinn rejected legislation that would give Chicago, Rockford, Danville and two other locations casinos. It would also have put slot machines at horse race tracks. In his veto message, Quinn says this version's most "glaring deficiency is the total absence of comprehensive ethical standards." The measure's sponsor, House Democrat Lou Lang, says legislators embrace adopting tougher regulations but he says the Governor has never told then what it is he wants. Lang says Quinn alludes to certain things but guesswork isn't going to get it done because Lang says every time lawmakers guess, Quinn moves the goal line. Lang says gambling negotiations continue; but they're always dicey, and any new proposal will have to get through a brand new General Assembly.
Quinn's veto message also hints that he won't approve more casinos unless lawmakers first reduce the state's pension costs. Quinn vetoed another gambling expansion attempt last year, saying it needed a ban on political contributions from the gambling industry.
