By The Task Force To Oppose Casino Gambling For Chicago
Talk of another attempt to install a casino in Chicago is once again rampant.
The talk may be just that – talk.
The two suburban legislators spearheading the effort refuse to discuss details of legislation, but hint a bill mirroring previous attempts at casino expansion will be introduced. Previous bills called for a Chicago casino as well as one in Rockford, Park City (near Waukegan), Danville and an undisclosed location in the south suburbs. Additionally current casinos would have more slots and horse racing tracks would have first time slots.
Recent campaign disclosures show that legislative casino proponents as well as other legislative leaders have received large campaign contributions from horse tracks and casinos.
The talk comes two weeks before the expected end of the spring session of the legislature and three weeks before the opening of the state’s tenth casino, in Des Plaines. The untested Des Plaines casino will provide an Illinois venue so Chicago-area gamblers won’t have to go to Indiana to play slots.
“This talk is diverting the City and the State from finding legitimate ways to plug deficit holes in their budgets,” says Doug Dobmeyer, spokesperson for the Task Force. “Despite a stated goal of the new Chicago mayor, Chicago citizens have never been asked through a referendum if they want a casino. So a neophyte mayor and two suburban legislators intend to jam a casino down Chicago’s throat? That move is a joke that will only undermine the new mayor.”
There are alternative revenue enhancements that could and should be considered. They include:
* A very small tax on stock trading and derivative products. This would have no effect on costs, but would yield millions because of the volume of business. This tax would be ripe for revenue sharing.
* A city income tax of 1 percent on money earned in Chicago above $30,000 annually would bring in millions to city tax coffers.
* The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability suggests taxing retirement funds above a certain amount. This would be akin to what the federal government does with Social Security income.
* Blending of local property taxes above the average cost per student to help poorer school districts in the state. An example would be using Winnetka property taxes to assist Ford Heights in providing better education.
New York City has both a stock trading tax and a city income tax.
Who Gets Hurt
Gambling draws low-income people and problem gamblers to support its business. This disrupts family efforts to educate children and meet the basics of family life, especially during the recession the country is immersed in. Finally, a gambling casino would change the character of Chicago already beset with crime and corruption forever.
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The Task Force to Oppose Casino Gambling for Chicago is a coalition of religious, civic and neighborhood organizations.
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See also:
* Topinka Supports Chicago Casino Plan
* Emanuel Wants Casino; Welch No Longer Does
* Quinn Remarks Show Difficulty Of Reaching Chicago Casino Deal
And:
* The Casino Meat Is A-Cookin’
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Comments welcome.
Posted on May 23, 2011