Discussions about a possible riverboat casino in Danville have resurfaced in Springfield. State Representative Bob Rita has filed a proposal to amend the gaming expansion discussions as the end of the spring legislative session draws near.
The Senate approved a bill last year that included six new riverboat casinos in Chicago, Lake County, Chicago’s South Suburbs, Williamson County, Rockford and Danville.
Rita’s proposed amendment includes those locations for new casinos and would also require local municipalities to adopt an ordinance supporting a new casino. Some of the other items in the amendment:
- It would add table games to the race tracks in Illinois which would be taxed at the same rate as casinos per Senate Bill 7.
- It would prohibit casino malls.
- Video gaming parlors would be allowed to add a 6th
- It would allow local revenue from the local share to go to downstate police and fire pensions.
- It would add a 5-percent tax on video gaming terminals revenues – increasing it from 30 to 35 percent.
- It would leave internet gaming, fantasy sports and sports betting sections blank to be resolved later.
Those are just some of the items included in Representative Rita’s proposed amendment to the gaming bill.
