Gambling expansion advances from key House panel

A plan to expand gambling in Illinois has advanced out of a key House committee.

The proposal calls for five new casinos including one in Chicago and scores of slot machines. But bill sponsor Rep. Robert Rita, a Blue Island Democrat, says details are still being worked out.

The House Executive committee on Wednesday OK'd stripping the bill of its language.

He says the core of the bill remains the same, but he's rewriting language on tax rates and is working with Gov. Pat Quinn's office on oversight of a Chicago casino. Rita says language providing funds for minority communities will be "similar."

It goes to the House floor and could come up before lawmakers' Friday adjournment.

Quinn has twice vetoed gambling expansions.

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The bill is SB1739

Online: www.ilga.gov