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GOP Wants Gambling Expansion to Fund Road Projects
Republicans leaders in the Illinois House and Senate want to expand gambling in order to fund a road, bridge, and school construction program. That's in contrast to a Democratic plan to raise the gas tax. Both plans would lay the groundwork for a $25 billion building and construction plan.

Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Rodogno (R-Lemont) and House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) acknowledge that they'd prefer not to need a Chicago casino, expanded slotmacines at existing casinos, plus video poker and Internet lottery purchases. But they say the dire economy requires action, and this is the best way to do that.

They say the $1 billion generated by expanded gambling and road fund money will bring in federal dollars and the ability to borrow to reach the $25 billion mark.

Cross says he knows Republicans complained about similar plans previously, but says the real problem then was Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and he says that has changed now that Gov. Pat Quinn is in office.

(Illinois Radio Network)
03 12 09 by Newsroom
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