Gambling Interests Contributed $9.6 Million Since ’94,
$3.5 Million Since ‘01
The General Assembly is in the final days of its spring session
and that means legislators must be debating expansion of legalized
gambling in Illinois. Gambling interests have made more than $9.6
million in campaign contributions over the last decade, including
$3.5 million since January 1, 2001.
Casino gaming was legalized as a way to help economically distressed
towns and regions, and now that the state budget is facing a shortfall,
gambling is touted as a solution to the state revenue problem.
Legislators voting to expand gambling would be able to avoid choosing
between raising taxes and cutting state services, and they would
make a lot of the state’s biggest campaign contributors
very happy, and possibly much richer.
Without any limits on giving to candidates, there is no telling
how much more gambling interests will give between the March primary
and the 2004 November general. Once again gambling bills have
squeezed themselves onto the crowded legislative docket during
the last weeks of session.
This year, gambling interests are pushing legislation to:
-
Increase the number of casinos allowed to operate in the
state.
-
Increase the number of allowable gambling positions at existing
casinos.
-
Legalize slot machines at horsetracks.
-
Designate the location of new casinos, possibly including
a Chicago casino.
-
Reduce taxes on some forms of gambling.
Gambling interests traditionally have very deep pockets. The Wall
Street Journal recently labeled casinos the sector with the highest
return for investors over the last five years. The possibility of
expanding its presence in the nation’s fifth largest state,
especially in the nation’s third largest city, is expected
to drive the industry to push hard.
But gambling interests are a heterogeneous group. Existing casinos
look warily at proposals to allow new casino competition within
the state, and also look askance at allowing horse tracks to have
slot machines. Likewise, horse tracks tend to oppose expansion in
the number of casinos or gaming positions at casinos unless the
tracks are also allowed to grow. And new license seekers want a
seat at the table, even if the existing casinos and tracks resist.
With the Emerald license in limbo and new concerns raised about
siting that casino in Rosemont, gambling remains very much in flux.
The existing tenth license may be withdrawn; a so-called “10-A”
license may be issued as a substitute for the Emerald license; new
rules may be set in place for the issuance of that or other licenses;
or an altogether new scenario could play out.
With so much money available to candidates from gambling interests,
and absolutely no limits on how much gambling interests could give
this election cycle, anything is possible.
Top Recipients of Gambling Contributions, January 1, 2003
– March 16, 2004
| |
Operating
Casinos |
License Seekers + |
Horses |
Total # |
| House Republican Leader Tom Cross * |
$42,500.00
|
$8,500.00 |
$69,250.00 |
$120,250.00 |
| Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson * |
$21,900.00 |
$7,000.00 |
$85,123.5.00 |
$114,023.00 |
| Senate President Emil Jones * |
$25,500.00 |
$20,000.00 |
$56,000.00 |
$101,500.00 |
| Rep. Lou Lang |
$20,000.00 |
$14,268.50 |
$46,066.00 |
$82,084.50 |
| House Speaker Michael J. Madigan * |
$29,500.00 |
$20,000.00 |
$26,500.00 |
$76,000.00 |
| Gov. Rod Blagojevich |
$0 |
$14,500.00 |
$30,133.10 |
$45,633.10 |
| Rep. Robert Molaro |
$6,000.00 |
$1,000.00 |
$11,300.00 |
$18,000.00 |
| Illinois State Republican Party |
$0 |
$0 |
$15,000.00 |
$15,000.00 |
| Rep. Brent Hassert |
$7,500.00 |
$2,300.00 |
$3,900.00 |
$13,700.00 |
| Rep. Jay Hoffman |
$2,250.00 |
$1,000.00 |
$10,160.00 |
$13,410.00 |
| TOTAL ALL RECIPIENTS |
$256,300.00 |
$120,718.50 |
$515,092.45 |
$895,860.95 |
* - Includes caucus PAC
+ - Includes Harrah’s, previously considered an operating
casino but now bidding for the 10th license, as well as S-L Waukegan
Partners, Trump Hotels, Waukegan investor Richard Stein and giving
by Midwest Gaming and Entertainment owner Neil Bluhm and employees
and partners at other Bluhm businesses, including JMB Realty and
Walton Street Capital.
# - Includes some miscellaneous giving not included in the other
three categories, including giving by manufacturers of gaming equipment.
Note: One year ago, ICPR released figures for 2001 –2002.
That chart is still available on our website at: http://ilcampaign.org/analysis/briefings/ib17.asp.
Since then, new groups have come forward to bid on casino licenses,
including Harrah’s, which is already licensed in Illinois.
Below is an updated chart for the period 2001-2002 including newly
identified license seekers.
Top Recipients of Gambling Contributions, January 1, 2001
– December 31, 2002
| |
Operating
Casinos |
License Seekers + |
Horses |
Total # |
Gov. Rod Blagojevich
|
-0-
|
$48,500 |
$237,025 |
$315,525 |
| Then-Sen. President James ‘Pate’ Philip * |
$56,700 |
$72,500 |
$146,250 |
$287,450 |
| Then-House Republican Leader Lee Daniels * |
$41,350 |
$19,700 |
$224,456 |
$284,906 |
| Atty Gen. Jim Ryan |
-0- |
$29,500 |
$158,800 |
$190,800 |
| Then-Senate Democratic Leader Emil Jones * |
$50,250 |
$26,000 |
$96,128 |
$172,378 |
| Illinois State Republican Party |
-0- |
-0- |
$126,000 |
$126,000 |
| House Speaker Michael J. Madigan |
$57,500 |
$25,000 |
$39,000 |
$121,500 |
| A.G. Lisa Madigan |
$100 |
$42,421 |
$21,000 |
$64,021 |
| Comptroller Dan Hynes |
-0- |
$47,000 |
$10,500 |
$57,500 |
| Rep. Tom Cross |
$33,500 |
$2,300 |
$15,500 |
$51,350 |
| TOTAL ALL RECIPIENTS |
$587,148 |
$479,993 |
$1,488,147 |
$2,591,744 |
* - Includes caucus PAC
+ - Includes Harrah’s, previously considered an operating
casino but now bidding for the 10th license, as well as S-L Waukegan
Partners, Trump Hotels, Waukegan investor Richard Stein and giving
by Midwest Gaming and Entertainment owner Neil Bluhm and employees
and partners at other Bluhm businesses, including JMB Realty and
Walton Street Capital.
# - Includes some miscellaneous giving not included in the other
three categories, including giving by manufacturers of gaming equipment.
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