House strikes down revised gambling bill
By Mike Porcaro
Midwest Thoroughbred
In a blow to expanded gambling in Illinois and to the state’s horse racing industry, the Illinois House on Nov. 9 in a vote of 58-53 defeated a revised bill introduced by Rep. Lou Lang (D- Skokie). The bill included a provision for slot machines at Illinois racetracks, which would prop up racing with increased funding. It needed 71 votes for passage.
The defeat of the bill is a victory for Gov. Pat Quinn, who called for limits on new gaming positions, including a call for not having slots at racetracks.
In a glimmer of hope for those wanting slots at tracks, Lang used parliamentary procedure to keep the bill alive in an effort to bring about another vote in the future.