House Approves Chicago Casino, Slots

The Illinois House is bucking recent history by approving a major expansion of legalized gambling.

The House voted 65-50 Monday to approve five new casinos -- including a land-based gambling house in Chicago and slot machines to racetracks and O'hare and Midway. The measure now goes to the Senate.

Democratic Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie says the legislation would mean $1.5 billion in startup fees for the new gambling positions and $500 billion or more a year in ongoing revenue.

Gov. Pat Quinn has said he dislikes such a huge expansion, but would favor a city casino.

But Lang says the additional casinos would bring in money to pay overdue bills. He predicted Quinn predicted might not automatically reject the package if it meant paying off paid off $1.5 billion in old bills, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.