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Gambling Push Resumes in East St. Louis

Rep. Bob Rita is to convene a hearing on gambling expansion at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
Paul Sableman (pasa47) via Flickr
Rep. Bob Rita is to convene a hearing on gambling expansion at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
Rep. Bob Rita is to convene a hearing on gambling expansion at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
Credit Paul Sableman (pasa47) via Flickr
Rep. Bob Rita is to convene a hearing on gambling expansion at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis.

An Illinois lawmaker is attempting to revive talks over a massive expansion of gambling in the state. The effort begins Tuesday evening at a casino in East St. Louis.Brian Mackey reports on yet another push to expand gambling in Illinois.

After years of effort, talks to expand gambling broke down last spring. The issue receded amid high-profile legislation dealing with pensions, concealed carry, and same-sex marriage.

Now Rep. Bob Rita, a Democrat from Blue Island, is trying to get gambling back on the front burner.

He's planning several public hearings across the state, beginning at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis.

"East St Louis has different issues than the south suburbs, or different than Danville," Rita says. "There are all different regional issues."

Rita says he'd like to stick with the existing framework for a gambling expansion. That would include five new casinos — in Rockford, Danville, Chicago, and two in the suburbs. It also would allow slot machines at horse racetracks.

Copyright 2014 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.