Illinois Governor Could Approve Slot Machines

The state of Illinois doesn’t know whether their governor is coming or going these days. One day he says there is no way he will ever allow slot machine expansion in the state, and the next he is telling a Democratic Rep. to go ahead with a bill that would legalize slot machines at the racetracks in the state. Residents just want to know what is going on.

Dem. Rep. Lou Lang said that Governor Rod Blagojevich said that he would stay out of his way if he wanted to pursue legislation that would allow the racetracks to start offering slot machines. A rep for the governor said that he is not putting additional slot machines or gaming into his new budget, but that he has agreed to see what “lawmakers’ ideas” are.

Some think that it could just be party favoritism, especially since they are both Democrats. Also, since the Democrats now control both houses of the General Assembly, that could have something to do with the change of heart that the governor has had over slot machine expansion.

But he would not go unopposed to the slot machine expansion, for there are others within the state that would not want to see slot machines expanded, and then there are those who want more slot machines – just in a different venue.

Senate President Emil Jones would like to see a Chicago casino brought into the state, with many more slot machines. House Speaker Michael Madigan is opposed to the idea, and has blocked all of his attempts to make that happen.

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