Joliet-Area State Senators Vote Against Expansion of Gambling in Illinois

State Senators Pat McGuire and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant voted against a bill allowing the construction of five new casinos in Illinois.  The bill--State Bill 1739--was passed by the Illinois State Senate on May 1, 2013.
Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant issued the following statement following her vote against the gaming expansion bill: “While I understand the revenue that gaming expansion can provide our state, especially in terms of education and social services, I am worried about the impact that this expansion will have on my community.”

Bertino-Tarrant fears the economic and local impact that increased gaming will have on residents of Will and Kendall counties.

State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) issued the following statement after he voted against gaming expansion yesterday: "We fought hard to keep the vote below the 34 needed to override a veto by the governor, and we did. I appreciate so many colleagues understanding that the market for casino gaming is limited. Allowing more casinos threatens communities like Joliet, which took the risk twenty years ago of bringing gaming to Illinois. I hope Governor Quinn realizes that and vetoes this bill--as he has its two forerunners."

The gambling expansion bill now goes to the Illinois House of Representatives for further action.

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