Joliet 8-29-12

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INSIDE

NEWS City Council accepts SAFER Grant

SPORTS Central shows well in loss Page 13

www.jolietbugle.com

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Our Village, Our News

AUGUST 29, 2012

Vol. 4 No. 52

Hedging their bets Joliet officials weigh effects of state gambling expansion By Jonathan Samples Staff Reporter

A

s Gov. Pat Quinn takes the weekend to decide whether or not he will sign into law the most recent version of a gambling expansion bill, Joliet officials are holding their breaths. “We’re still hopeful that the governor will see the defects in the bill and veto it,” said Joliet City Manager Tom Thanas. “Mayor Giarrante and I have been in constant contact with the governor to encourage him to veto the bill because of the impact it would have on Joliet.” The latest gambling

expansion bill passed the Illinois House in a 69-47 vote on May 25, and would create five new casinos and allow slot machines at horse racing. One of those casinos would be constructed in south suburban Cook County, and that facility is what worries Joliet officials most. According to Thanas, a south suburban casino would divert approximately 25 percent of current business away from Joliet’s two casinos, Harrah’s and Hollywood. That would equate to a $5 million reduction in annual gaming tax revenues for the city. See GAMING, page 2


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