Franks wants Quinn to veto video poker
By SARAH SUTSCHEK - ssutschek@nwherald.com
SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Jack Franks wants the governor to veto legislation outlining part of how construction in the state would be funded.
Franks, D-Marengo, wants Quinn to nix legalization of video poker, which would pay for about $300 million of the $28.3 billion capital construction plan. Other funding would come from higher liquor taxes, license plate fees, and expanded lottery ticket sales.
Quinn has acknowledged that he is behind the construction bill, but he has refused to sign it until his budget –
including a significant income-tax increase – is approved.
Instead, the Democratic-controlled Legislature passed a budget that would require drastic cuts in human service programs.
House Bill 255 gives every bar and restaurant in Illinois the opportunity to have up to five video poker machines.
“I understand that many of my colleagues felt compelled to support this bill in an attempt to raise revenue, but the largest expansion of gambling in the history of our state is irresponsible,” Franks said.
State Rep. Mike Tryon, R-Crystal Lake, said he found it difficult to support the video poker legislation but he did so and does not support Franks’ call for a Quinn veto.
“That was a difficult vote for me,” Tryon said. “I don’t like video poker, But I think that’s going on throughout our state. If we can’t control it, we at least ought to regulate it.”
Franks said legalizing video poker would be like creating 60 more casinos, compared with the nine currently, in Illinois. He said it would increase gambling addiction.
“This is really convenience gambling,” he said. “This is not going to the casino or to the race track. It would be available on any corner bar and on the Main Streets of our town, and the people would can ill afford to do this are going to do it the most.”
To make up the loss in revenue, he suggested cutting pork-barrel projects.
“That should more than cover this,” Franks said.
He said that the legislation has a lot of potential for fraud and corruption, which lawmakers had been trying to change when they ousted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Meanwhile, Tryon said he was concerned that McHenry County stood to lose too much of $200 million in earmarked transportation projects if Quinn is pushed to veto the video poker portion of the capital budget.
“My guess is that he’d veto the entire thing,” Tryon said.
Although the bill gives the Illinois Gaming Board regulatory authority over the machines, Franks said, there has been no formal framework for oversight and no funding directed toward the board for the added responsibility.
“Three states ... have banned video poker because of the societal problems it has caused and regulatory nightmares,” Franks said. “Members of the gaming board are opposed to this expansion, and they are the people who know they don’t have the resources or manpower to regulate it.”
• Northwest Herald News Editor Kevin Lyons contributed to this story.
