Rita: Putting People to Work Through Gaming Bill

SPRINGFIELD – There were many times over the past six years that it seemed like Rep. Bob Rita was working on the impossible. Today, Illinois will benefit from his perseverance.

After picking up gaming expansion in 2013, Rita worked on numerous proposals to add casinos, racetrack gaming and much more around the state. Each session, the ideas died for different reasons.

But 2019 was different. With a new governor and Democratic supermajorities in the House and Senate, and sports betting creating an exciting dynamic, Rita led passage of a major gaming and sports betting bill as the Illinois House ended its spring session last weekend.

The House voted 87-27 for Rita’s Senate Bill 690, and the Senate followed suit with a 46-10 vote the next day. The bill now goes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his approval.

Chicago and five other communities would get new casinos. Racetracks in Illinois would get casinos, including a new one expected near Tinley Park. Video gaming will expand. Sports betting will lure more players and generate more activity at bars and restaurants and in gaming facilities.

The bill will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue, which will be used to support construction of schools, hospitals, social services buildings and other vertical projects. And thousands of people will work at the new facilities as tourism and entertainment dollars flow in.

Rita credited his fellow legislators – Sens. Terry Link and Tony Munoz, Rep. Mike Zalewski and others – and Gov. Pritzker and the legislative leaders for setting aside differences to create historic progress for the state.

“Senate Bill 690 is a jobs bill. It’s going to create jobs, it’s going to create economic development,” Rita said in presenting the bill on the House floor. “Let’s vote yes and let’s put people to work.”

Watch the House floor debate on Senate Bill 690 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AolzqV7rjS0&feature=youtu.be