There's got to be a solid reason as to why only two Republicans voted against the huge gambling expansion bill that passed the House Gaming committee this morning.
This one will be worth waiting for.
HB 2650 is a massive gambling expansion bill that includes a city-owned casino in Chicago and a state-owned land-based casino, each with 4,000 gambling positions. HB 2650 legalizes 3,600 electronic gambling machines at racetracks and an additional 3,500 gambling positions at existing casinos. Advanced Deposit Wagering is also included, which would legalize horse racing on the Internet, and gambling on horses at county fairs.
Why in the world would Republicans support handing to a crooked, untrustworthy political abuser like Governor Blagojevich $31 billion to spend and distribute to his crooked, untrustworthy political contribution paying friends who expect to have their share of the road building pie? Why would they vote to give billions more to a spend-aholic who carelessly throws money around, impressing his friends by calling in more and more favors?
And where do they get the money they''re giving this corrupt, untrustworthy, inept, incompetent state dictator? From the pockets of gambling addicts who have gambled away their family's fortunes, grocery money, gas funds, utility bill budget, and on an on -- increasing the needy rolls of the state?
The two Republicans that did not enable the expansion of gambling, who stood against the vast majority are : freshman Republican Franco Coladipietro who voted an outright NO and vetern Republican State Rep. Tim Schmitz, who voted PRESENT on HB 2650.
Republicans who voted YES (including substitutes) are: Hassert, Bassi, Beaubien, Eddy, Lindner, Rose, Saviano, Schock, Stephens and Winters. They all voted to expand gambling and give more play money to Blagojevich.
The Democrats who voted YES are Lang (the sponsor), Scully, Rich Bradley, Riley, Monique Davis, Granberg, howard, Harris, Berrios, Molaro, Verschoore, Yarbrough and Younge.
Okay, guys . . . we're waiting. What's the rationale for this vote? Your voters back home have a right to know.
Gambling Action Alert
Two gambling expansion bills, which will be used to fund the $31 billion capital construction program, were heard in committees early today. http://www.sj-r.com/state/x138487936/New-House-committees-advance-parts-of-capital-plan
HB 2650 is a massive gambling expansion bill that includes a city-owned casino in Chicago and a state-owned land-based casino, each with 4,000 gambling positions. HB 2650 legalizes 3,600 electronic gambling machines at racetracks and an additional 3,500 gambling positions at existing casinos. Advanced Deposit Wagering is also included, which would legalize horse racing on the Internet, and gambling on horses at county fairs.
HB 2093 would lease 80% of the Lottery for not less than $10 billion for 50-60 years. No company will spend this amount of money unless they can expand the Lottery electronically—Internet, video lottery machines, keno, etc. These forms of gambling are highly addictive. The age to gamble on the Lottery is 18. Teens, young adults, the poor, addicted, and vulnerable will targeted.
For Immediate Action
1. Call your State Representative TODAY at 217-782-2000 and ask him/her to oppose HB 2650 for a massive expansion of gambling and HB 2093 for the leasing and expansion of the Lottery.
2. Forward to 10 others.
Anita Bedell, Executive Director
Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems
1132 West Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: 217-546-6871
www.ilcaaap.org
