© 2024 WNIJ and WNIU
Northern Public Radio
801 N 1st St.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-9000
Northern Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Illinois Senate Approves Gambling Expansion Measure

ilga.gov

For the third time in two years, the Illinois Senate has approved a measure that would allow five new casinos, including one in Rockford.

The difference this time is that Governor Pat Quinn might finally be willing to support the proposal.

The sponsor,Terry Link, D-Waukegan, says he's tried to meet the governor's demands, such as banning campaign donations by gambling license holders. Link also removed a provision that would have allowed online gambling.

"I don't have a crystal ball to see what he's going to do. But I would hope that he will see this as a huge effort forward and sign the bill." - Senator Terry Link

A spokeswoman for the governor says the legislation "appears to be moving in the right direction." But she added the governor would continue to seek "refinements" in the proposal.

Illinois Public Radio's Brian Mackey contributed to this report.