Special Session July 9

The Governor has called a special session for Wednesday, July 9, asking that the House of Representatives to pass the Funds Sweeps Bill, allowing the governor to sweep money from line items in the budget to use where he deems necessary. Indications are that the governor will call another special session for Thursday, July 10, if the House does not go along with his recommendations.

Indications are that the governor will put pressure on the legislature to pass the Capital Plan, or the "jobs bill", whatever catchy name you want to call it. Specifically, the House will be pressured to pass legislation the Senate has already passed, such as HB 1496, to Lease the Lottery, and HB 2651, which will include a massive gambling expansion. The gambling expansion will include:

• Two land-based casinos with over 4,000 gambling positions each, and an additional riverboat casino in a economically depressed area. One land-based casino is to be owned by the City of Chicago, the other by the State of Illinois.
• There will be slots added at the race tracks along with betting on horses at county fairs.
• Advanced Deposit Wagering will authorize internet gambling on horse racing.
• 3,600 more gambling positions will be added to the current casinos.

Call your state representative at 217-782-2000 and ask him/her to vote "NO" on HB 1496 and HB 2651.