Gov. Quinn Skepitcal Of Casino Expansion Plan
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Gov. Pat Quinn said Friday that he's still skeptical about a proposal to expand gambling in Illinois to help eliminate a massive budget deficit.
The measure would create the state's first-ever land-based casino in Chicago and add four new riverboat casinos to Illinois.
The Illinois Senate has approved the proposal, but Quinn said he doesn't want Illinois to "get carried away with gambling" and become the "Las Vegas of the Midwest."
The legislation also would allow the state's nine existing casinos to expand and would allow racetracks in Illinois to add slot machines.
Proponents have said it would bring an additional $1 billion in annual revenue to Illinois.
The state's budget deficit could reach $15 billion by the end of the current fiscal year in June.
The bill's sponsor has said the state needs to take big steps to fix its huge budget deficit.
The Illinois House is likely to take up the proposal during the last days of the current legislative session in early January.
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