A bill that would allow for expanding gaming in Illinois, including allowing a casino in Danville, has cleared the Illinois Senate. The bill needed 30 votes for passage and received 31 ‘yes’ votes on Tuesday. But Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer says it remains to be seen whether House Speaker Michael Madigan will call it for a vote. The Mayor explained that is because there was a side agreement that the 13 bills that make up the ‘Grand Bargain’ for solving Illinois’ budget stalemate could only become law if all the bills were approved. And the Mayor says one of the bills failed to receive enough votes in the House on Tuesday.
Mayor Eisenhauer told members of the City Council’s Public Services Committee last night that the gaming bill could still be sent over to the House. It remains to be seen, though, whether the House of Representatives will consider it.
Illinois Senators moved a few pieces of the so-called ‘Grand Bargain’ forward Tuesday. In addition to voting for gambling expansion, Senators also approved bills on government consolidation and a purchasing reform package. It was a pension reform proposal that was voted down. A new vote on pensions and a vote on the plan’s tax increases could occur today (Wednesday).
