From Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction problems (ILCAAAP)
The House could amend SB 516 to lower the tax rate for a Chicago-owned casino. This is the only gambling shell bill that could be amended and passed in the House and Senate TODAY – the last day of the Veto Session!
Speaker Madigan has chosen not to be involved in the gambling legislation. But Rep. Robert Rita, who sponsored the massive gambling expansion bill in May, is working on the language for SB 516, with as many as 6 amendments today, Capitol Fax reported.
Last night Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot had 47 or 48 lawmakers in her court but needs 60 to get the bill over the hump, and is struggling to get the support necessary. She’s enlisted a team of lobbyists and is working the phones to help do that. Labor unions, including Chicago Federation of Labor, the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police and even the SEIU, have also come out to lobby in favor of the bill, Politico Illinois Playbook reported.
TAKE ACTION: Click HERE to email your State Representative TODAY to ask him/her to Vote NO on SB 516. Plus, if you have time, also take a minute to call their Springfield office while they are there today. Ask to be connected directly to their office. The Capitol Switchboard is 217-782-2000.
