INDIANAPOLIS | Illinois lawmakers again are trying to expand riverboat gaming in the state, including new casinos in Chicago and
Ford Heights, even as Gov. Pat Quinn says the plan is dead in the water.
State Sen. Terry Link, D-Waukegan, introduced legislation this week that would boost Illinois' casino population to 14 from 10, permit slot machines at horse tracks, including Balmoral Park in Crete, and allow existing casinos in the state to nearly double in size.
Link estimates the state could bring in an additional $1 billion a year from expanded gaming. Illinois has a $14 billion budget deficit, according to Comptroller Dan Hynes.
But Gov. Quinn is not on board, saying the state can't gamble its way to prosperity.
"I think we have to understand in Illinois that we have some gambling. But do we want to expand it and make Illinois the Las Vegas of the Midwest? Not in my opinion," Quinn said.
