| | |  | Last Updated: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 |  | | | Gambling Shut Down on Illinois Riverboat Casinos
- Sunday, 30 Oct 2005
Last Thursday, the Illinois House approved closing Nine Illinois riverboat casinos. Those who object gambling say that ever since these gambling facilities were legalized 15 years ago, they have done more harm than good. Gambling proponents also claim that instead of giving the local economy a boost, these floating gambling facilities have mainly benefited the small group of people who own them. These people have become millionaires, while the people of Illinois have never received a fair cut for giving them exclusive rights to run these casinos.
Despite outcries it would cost the state millions of dollars and thousands of jobs, the plan was approved by a majority of 67-42. Rep. John Bradley, a Marion Democrat who supported the proposal to shut down the casinos said, “We did something today that nobody thought we’d ever be able to do”. Bradley was also quoted saying, “I think it’s a great day for the state of Illinois and the future of the state of Illinois.”
The gambling bill is now at the hands of the state Senate, where it’s likely to be blocked by Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago. Jones who opposes the initiative to close these nine gambling facilities says, “Senate is a very responsible body. It doesn’t do irresponsible things”. Jones continues by saying, “I can’t see a member voting to take money away from their school children”.
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