Lawmakers continue discussion on Chicago casino

Posted on November 13, 2019

*Senate President John Cullerton explained a graduated income tax system that would give Chicago more money from the city’s casino. (Photo courtesy Facebook/John Cullerton)*

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A day after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot visited Springfield, lawmakers got to work on re-opening a casino bill which was signed into law in the spring.

Lightfoot says it will take more money as the city’s share of the casino tax for it to pay off for Chicago. While Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) presented a bill with a graduated tax structure for discussion, it appears there will be no vote this week unless the bill can get unstuck in the House, where Capitol-watchers this week thought the process would start.

A senator who represents a city which is getting a new casino is unhappy with the new deal. “The state’s capital plan is going to be losing $140 million a year,” said State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford). “A lot of capital projects throughout the state are not going to get done now, because we are giving Chicago a better deal” than other – struggling – casino cities will get.

To that, State Sen. Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) told Syverson, at least Rockford’s getting a casino, but Chicago may not.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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