Eye On Illinois: Every year state goes back to the gambling well for new revenue
Illinois repeatedly turns to gambling expansion for new revenue, a trend that began over a decade ago and continues today.Summary
The article reflects on the long-standing practice of Illinois state government turning to gambling expansion to generate revenue. The author notes that this trend dates back to at least 2011, when they predicted that gambling would expand regardless of the governor's stance. The piece highlights the evolution of this strategy, from early discussions about casinos and horse tracks to the current focus on sports betting and fantasy sports. Recent legislative actions, such as Governor JB Pritzker signing a fiscal 2027 budget with specific taxes on these activities, demonstrate the state's continued reliance on this revenue source. The author concludes that while much has changed in fifteen years, the state's willingness to use gambling to fund operations remains a constant.
(Source：Shaw Local)