Poker Expansion in US State of Illinois

Sep 22, 2007

Author: Catrina Rudd

A new method of funding for Illinois State construction projects and more has been approved, after great debate, through the state senate.

The new bill will permit three new casinos to come about in Illinois. There will be one land-based casino built in Chicago, and two riverboat casinos further south in the state. The taxes from the new casinos will help to fund mass transit construction both in Chicago and beyond.

"If we are going to solve the problems of the state, it takes individuals working together collectively, giving and taking," Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) said after the measure had been passed. It did not clear the state house or senate without amazing amounts of opposition. After months of investigation, and debate, the bill has finally been sent to the governor.

The project that needs to be funded is a construction program worth more than 25 billion dollars in local, state and federal funds. The entire program will become the most complete and far-reaching public works initiative in eight years. Between the construction project and the casinos, both building and completed, the economy in the state may have a new breath of life. The unemployment rate is rising in Illinois and has been for years, this will facilitate a change in the economic status of many residents.

Even with the plethora of opposition regarding this bill between both parties in the legislature, nobody can argue with the revenue that casinos generate.

The Chicago area mass-transit systems would get $200 million from a one-year loan that would tide over the systems until the Casino solution is in place. Senator Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago), sponsored the casino legislation.

The Heartland Poker Tour has already made one stop in Chicago area, but now the options will be open to expand poker further in the Midwest!