Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are bowing to gambling interests and victimizing people as a result, says an expert on the industry.

On February 28th, the Illinois Senate passed SB 7 - a massive gambling bill - by a vote of 31-26. Yet for lawmakers with an insatiable hunger for revenue at the expense of well-documented social costs, it wasn't enough. Yesterday, the Illinois Senate passed an amended version of SB 7 to exploit even more citizens, by a vote of 33-24 with 1 voting present. (See roll call chart below.)

One of the Illinois General Assembly's top budget minds is offering some common sense ideas on how the state can return to fiscal sanity and once again become a go-to state for business.

Yesterday, the Illinois Senate put two amendments on SB 7 -a massive gambling bill- and then called the bill for a vote without a committee hearing. This proposal authorizing casinos in Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Lake County, south suburbs of Chicago, Williamson County and 4 casinos at racetracks. It is important to note that this legislation would legalize a city-owned casino for Chicago with a perpetual license that cannot be revoked or suspended. No other city in the United States owns a casino.

An expert on the social costs of gambling says more gambling in Illinois is not a revenue solution for the state's bleak financial future. Professor John Kindt maintains more gambling will only add to the state's fiscal troubles, while making lots of money for the "insiders."

The Illinois State Senate Gaming Committee recently heard testimony on SB 7, the massive gambling expansion bill. There were many questions from members of the committee asking sponsor Illinois Sen. Terry Link (D-Gurnee) to make changes to the bill. The Senate moved SB 7 to third reading so it can be called for a vote at anytime now. Illinois Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) filed Senate Amendment 2 to SB 7 to include slot machines at Chicago airports for passengers who at least 21 years of age and members of a private club.

Democratic Senate President John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno negotiated an ambitious plan to end the budget impasse. Promising to act on a package by month's end, they introduced 13 measures that included sweeteners that are not budget-related for both sides.

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