Ill. lawmakers wrestle with gambling bill

Illinois state senators say they are looking for ways to reduce the size of a gambling package they approved just days ago. Gov. Pat Quinn has threatened to veto the measure unless it is trimmed in size, but its supporters worry cutting some parts of the gambling package could result in its complete collapse, the Chicago Tribune reported. "The governor has indicated very strongly that he wants to see a reduction, he doesn't want to see it as big," said Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat who sponsored the gambling legislation. "So his message was loud and clear to us, and we have to see how we can do this to appease what his concerns are." Supporters say it has taken a long time to get so close to passing a gambling plan only to have it collapse because Quinn doesn't like it. As it stands, the proposal includes a Chicago-owned casino and four others: in Danville, Rockford, Lake County and southern Cook County. Slot machines would be permitted at Midway and O'Hare airports and at the state's six licensed horse tracks. A "racino" would be built at the state fairgrounds in Springfield and existing riverboats could add more gambling and move to land. Quinn said he doesn't want any gambling at the fairgrounds, saying it is for families. Supporters of the plan said the state desperately needs the thousands of jobs it would create and the tax dollars gambling would generate.