The Illinois Family Institute has sent a letter to Governor Quinn, with more than 200 signatures of Illinois pastors. The letter implores the governor to veto the massive gambling bill passed by the Illinois General Assembly during the closing days of the Spring Session — Senate Bill 744.

The Chicago Crime Commission warned to expect more scandal and corruption that this expansion of gambling will surely bring.

“It greatly concerns us that gambling’s presence is growing rapidly in Illinois . It is already the fourth leading cause of bankruptcy and the fastest growing teen addiction,” said David E. Smith, Executive Director of Illinois Family Institute. “The Commission’s observation is consistent with the fact that crime is already higher in towns that play host to casinos. Gambling, it can be argued, is the lifeblood of organized crime.

“Moreover, it is morally indefensible for the State to approve, license and promote an industry that thrives on the exploitation of the citizens it is constituted to serve,” said Smith. “Creating thousands of citizen-losers to create a revenue stream is terrible public policy.”

Gambling addiction is linked to bankruptcy, home foreclosure, depression, and white-collar crime, all of which lead to family stress and can lead to domestic violence, divorce, and suicide. Playing these kinds of odds against constituents is not good public policy.

Click HERE for more information about Senate Bill 744 and how to contact Illinois legislators.

To book David Smith for an interview, contact Deborah Hamilton at (215) 815-7716 or (610) 584-1096.