Close Call (27 page)
SPRINGFIELD—In what was seen as a major triumph for the state’s horse racing interests, the Illinois Senate on Friday passed by a vote of 32-27 a bill authorizing video slot machines at five of the state’s six horse racing tracks. Governor Otto Walker is expected to sign the bill early next week. Getting the okay to install slots were Monee Park and Heartland Downs, thoroughbred tracks in suburban Chicago, as well as the city’s three harness tracks. Cut from the bill in last minute negotiations were slot macines for downstate Devon Downs and a provision that would have brought a casino to Chicago.
An earlier version of the bill had previously passed the Illinois House by a narrow margin, then met stiff opposition in the Senate during hearings leading up to Friday’s vote.
The bill’s House sponsor, Representative Lew Langmeyer (D-Palatine), pronounced himself “jubilant” over the passage of this controversial measure, which had been solidly supported by the Illinois horse racing industry, but stongly opposed by an odd alliance of the state’s nine casinos and a prominent anti-gambling organization.
“We didn’t get everything the original bill sought,” Representative Langmeyer told reporters, “but we got the portion that should guarantee the continued existence of horse racing in our state. Now, the majority of the tracks at least will be able to compete with the casinos.”
The bulk of the new tax revenues expected to be produced by the racetracks will go to the state’s education fund. A portion of the tracks’ share of slot machine profits will be shared with horse owners in the form of increased purses. This is expected to attract better horses to the state and boost track attendance and betting.
Representative Langmeyer’s enthusiastic reaction was echoed by House Majority Leader William “Willy” Wilgis. He had for months refused to take a public position on the bill, only in recent days announcing his “full fledged support.” That support served to insure the measure’s passage in its amended form.
According to Representative Wilgis, the bill “Ain’t perfect, but it’s a darn good start. The first potato chip is the one that empties the bag.”
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