An Illinois lawmaker wants to tax communities that rejected video gambling.
The bill's language claims the tax would be equal to what the state would have collected from gambling.
Sen. Mike Jacobs, the bill's author, said Illinois needs the income those cities would have gambled away, so he wants to tax them an equivalent amount.
"Getting your hands in gaming is dirty business," Jacobs said. "What these people want to do is they don't want to get their hands dirty, but they want all the dirty money."
So far, 63 municipalities and five counties have opted out of the state-sponsored gambling scheme.
Naperville turned down the video slots unanimously. Mayor George Pradel said the state wants the money for highway, and other projects.
"The capital bill's already passed, and so they just have to find some other source of income for it," Pradel said.
Pradel and Jacobs do agree on one thing: Gambling is a regressive tax that takes money from those who can least afford it.
AUDIO EXTRA
Family News in Focus Reporter Steve Jordahl interviewed Sen. Mike Jacobs who made striking concessions regarding gambling expansion. Jacobs, although in favor of gambling, admitted it's a dirty business and that it amounts to a regressive tax. Hear an expanded version of the interview with Jacobs.
— Steve Jordahl
