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Blagojevich Says He Would Consider Gambling Expansion
August 26, 2004

Governor Rod Blagojevich said he would be willing to consider expanding gaming to help balance the budget if Illinois lawmakers can reach a consensus on necessary budget cuts for the state.

Blagojevich told the Chicago Tribune editorial board on Thursday, August 25 that he would be open to expanding gaming if the new casinos boosted economically depressed areas and did not "fundamentally alter the landscape of the state."

Regarding the regulation of gaming, Blagojevich has yet to name replacements on the Illinois Gaming Board for Chairman Elzie Higginbottom and member Violet Clark, who remain on the board though their terms expired June 30. Blagojevich said that it has been difficult to find people who want to serve.

A bill circulating in the Legislature last session would have authorized four new casinos and allowed thousands of new slot machines at existing riverboat casinos and racetracks to help close a $2.3-billion budget deficit, but that bill stalled in the state Senate.

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