FOUR NEW CASINOS PROPOSED FOR ILLINOIS.

America’s infatuation with casinos seems as though it is spreading, with Illinois looking increasingly likely to accept the proposal for four new casinos on its turf. A state Senate committee recently accepted a move that would bring four new casinos to the state, one of which would be in Chicago. "These other states with casinos on the Illinois border are going after Illinois residents, with this Bill, we'll now be going after their money instead" said Senator Dave Syverson of Rockford. Strict competition is the main reason behind the decision many states have taken to court the gambling dollar, it is a case of ‘can’t beat them, join them’ that have been bolstered by the ongoing economic crisis.

This also fits into the plan for states to grow their own tourist industry, gambling houses being a first stop for many tourists. "If the casino gets approved, there's a series of other investments that will follow," said Syverson, "With this addition, you'll suddenly have another half billion dollars in construction and over a thousand new jobs for the region."

The proposed new casinos will be located in: Chicago, Rockford, Waukegan, and Danville, but the idea is not without its detractors. Video poker machines are now legal in the state after a law passed last week, and some lawmakers believe this is too much gambling expansion too fast.