2008 Woodie Awards
Science Building remains unfunded
Capital budget sits in House
Matthew Schroyer
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: News
For a new $74.9 million SIUE science building, and the $25 billion capital plan to fund it, the future remains uncertain.
Although the $25 billion capital spending plan passed Senate approval two weeks ago, whether it will pass muster in the house, or brought to vote, remains to be seen.
One of the largest points of contention between lawmakers is how revenue gained through an expansion of gambling. The plan would approve three new casinos in Chicago and needs support from both sides of the aisle and a three-fifths majority to pass.
Wednesday, House Speaker Michael Madigan announced public hearings in Chicago and Springfield to examine the bill. Steve Brown, press secretary for Madigan, said the times and dates for the hearings would be decided in the next couple of weeks.
"We will take a good long look at the bill," Brown said Friday. "We want people to understand the bill and the loose ends."
Brown said Madigan had not yet adopted a stance on the plan, and would do so after the hearings.
There is a nearly unanimous consensus in the house and senate that the projects are worthy of a capitol plan. Yet, gaming critics are holding their ground and are arguing against the expansion of gambling.
Doug Dobmeyer, spokesperson for the Task Force to Oppose Casino Gambling in Chicago, sees the gambling expansion as unnecessary and dangerous for the city.
"It will bring a whole lot more people that have or will have addiction into the processes," Dobmeyer said. "It will not be good for them, and it won't be good for their families."
Dobmeyer questions whether the state should pursue more gaming licenses when all of the licenses have not been put to use. Illinois' 10th gaming license is currently unused, and remains tied up in litigation after the Illinois Gaming Board revoked the license from Emerald Casino in 2005.
"It's a question of what's the governments purpose. Is it to help people, or take money out of their pockets?" Dobmeyer said.
Although the $25 billion capital spending plan passed Senate approval two weeks ago, whether it will pass muster in the house, or brought to vote, remains to be seen.
One of the largest points of contention between lawmakers is how revenue gained through an expansion of gambling. The plan would approve three new casinos in Chicago and needs support from both sides of the aisle and a three-fifths majority to pass.
Wednesday, House Speaker Michael Madigan announced public hearings in Chicago and Springfield to examine the bill. Steve Brown, press secretary for Madigan, said the times and dates for the hearings would be decided in the next couple of weeks.
"We will take a good long look at the bill," Brown said Friday. "We want people to understand the bill and the loose ends."
Brown said Madigan had not yet adopted a stance on the plan, and would do so after the hearings.
There is a nearly unanimous consensus in the house and senate that the projects are worthy of a capitol plan. Yet, gaming critics are holding their ground and are arguing against the expansion of gambling.
Doug Dobmeyer, spokesperson for the Task Force to Oppose Casino Gambling in Chicago, sees the gambling expansion as unnecessary and dangerous for the city.
"It will bring a whole lot more people that have or will have addiction into the processes," Dobmeyer said. "It will not be good for them, and it won't be good for their families."
Dobmeyer questions whether the state should pursue more gaming licenses when all of the licenses have not been put to use. Illinois' 10th gaming license is currently unused, and remains tied up in litigation after the Illinois Gaming Board revoked the license from Emerald Casino in 2005.
"It's a question of what's the governments purpose. Is it to help people, or take money out of their pockets?" Dobmeyer said.
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