In the US, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (pictured) are said to be “very close” to a deal for a casino that Emanuel has been saying is “absolutely necessary” to meet the city’s budgetary goals.
Quinn has favoured locating a casino in Chicago but has strongly opposed a bill passed by lawmakers that would expand gambling throughout the state. That bill would have authorised casinos not only for Chicago but for four other areas. It also would have permitted the state’s seven racetracks to add slot machines.
Quinn vetoed the gambling bill, saying it failed to address potential ethics problems. However, he left the door open to a new agreement. Efforts to override Quinn’s veto have been scrapped by the lawmakers who have joined the governor and Emanuel in seeking ways to satisfy both their needs.
