Chicago Sun-Times: Senate leader tries again for Chicago area casinos

SPRINGFIELD -- Long enamored with casino gambling, Senate President Emil Jones today plans to renew his push for slot machines and blackjack tables in Chicago, Waukegan and the south suburbs.

Describing the initiative as a work in progress, an aide to the powerful South Side Democrat said late Tuesday that he intended to advance the initiative out of a Senate committee to set the stage for further negotiations.

"I can't stress to you enough that this is all fluid," Jones spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer said.

Unlike the proposal Jones tried unsuccessfully to pass last year, the new package that surfaced Tuesday excludes slot machines at racetracks and pledges to set aside a portion of the likely $1 billion-plus windfall for early childhood education programs.

The initiative still includes plans for a city-owned casino, a concept Senate Republicans remain wary of because of the stream of City Hall corruption disclosures that have tarnished Mayor Daley's image.

Even if Jones can pick up enough Republican support to move the plan out of the Senate, it is certain to meet a chilly reception in the House, where Democrats are loath to vote on a gambling deal without a clear show of support from Gov. Blagojevich.

"Our position remains as it was a year ago," said Steve Brown, a spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago). "We expect people would want to see what kind of bill the governor would sign before anything would be taken seriously."

With the governor still facing a $1 billion-plus budget deficit, Jones' aides think a casino package is a preferable alternative to cutting back government services any farther or raising taxes.

"We need a source of revenue. This bill certainly would provide a source of revenue. Maybe as it moves along and negotiations continue, there will be some public movement from the second floor," Davidsmeyer said, referring to the governor's Statehouse office.

The proposal is S.B. 19 and is scheduled for a possible vote today by the Senate Executive Committee.