Illinois lawmakers discuss plans for sports gambling

Posted on March 22, 2019
By the time the next NCAA Tournament rolls around, you might be able to bet on it legally in Illinois. (Photo Darren Rovell/Twitter)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – By the time the next NCAA Tournament rolls around, you might be able to bet on it legally in Illinois.

Actually, the governor’s office would like to start well before then; say, as close to the start of the new fiscal year – July 1 – as possible.

State Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) is carrying the bill and has drawn up four possibilities:

“Generally, they revolve around either giving a casino or a horse-racing track or an OTB or maybe even the lottery the ability to offer sports wagering as an option to a sports fan,” Zalewski tells WJBC News. “There will be a hearing next week in the Illinois House, and we’ve hopefully  started a good dialogue.”

Expansion of gambling is customarily difficult to pass at the Capitol, but the governor’s office – aggressive in pursuing its goals and wanting that revenue – is hoping sports gambling is the exception.

HB 3308

 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…