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Story category: economy
Gambling Expansion, Pro and Con
Story air date: Wednesday, May 16, 2012
A bill authorizing new casinos and other expansions of gambling has been filed in the Illinois General Assembly --- and backers say the House could vote on it as soon as this week.
Like last year’s version, the bill would license new casinos, including one in Danville, and it would allow race tracks to install slot machines --- something Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn firmly opposes.
Illinois Public Media’s Jim Meadows spoke with advocates on both sides of the issue.
Former Illinois House member Bill Black of Danville supports the bill, and he is lobbying for it as chairman of the Illinois Revenue and Jobs Alliance. Black said the gambling bill won’t pass without the portion allowing slot machines at race tracks.
Anita Bedell, who is the executive director of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems (ILCAAAP), opposes gambling expansion. Bedell said the social cost of gambling outweighs its potential for tax revenue.
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Former Illinois House member Bill Black of Danville supports the bill:
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ILCAAAP's Anita Bedell opposes gambling expansion:
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business • economy • government • IllinoisUS Rep. Shimkus Talks about Health Care, Energy
Story air date: Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Congressman John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) is running for re-election in the re-drawn 15th Congressional District, which includes parts of Champaign County, and all of Vermilion, Douglas, Edgar, Coles and Moultrie Counties.
Last week, Shimkus sat in on the U.S. Supreme Court’s final day of hearings about the federal health care law. He told Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers that there are parts of the law he supports, but he said requiring people to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty goes a step too far.
He also discussed a bill he has introduced that would protect retailers, engine manufacturers, and fuel producers from lawsuits related to E15, a new fuel combination that is made up of 15-percent ethanol. And Shimkus looks ahead to the November general election.
(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)
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- More on Congressman John Shimkus
- US Rep. Shimkus’ Bill Would Prevent E15 Lawsuits (Related)
- US Rep. Shimkus Meets with Champaign County Chamber of Commerce (Related)
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economy • energy • government • elections • United States • health care • people • politicsChampaign Police Lobby to Stay Open 24/7
Story air date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Plans for reducing the front desk staff and cutting lobby hours at Champaign Police Headquarters became one of the most controversial parts of budget cuts approved by the City Council last year. Now, despite the staff cuts, police officials say they’ve found a way to keep the front desk open to the public on evenings and overnights. Illinois Public Media's Jim Meadows talked with Champaign Deputy Police Chief Troy Daniels about the new arrangement.
(Photo courtesy of the city of Champaign)
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crime • economy • government • Champaign • peopleRaw Audio: Jon Corzine Testifies Before House Ag Committee
Story air date: Friday, December 09, 2011
Former U.S. Senator and New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine told a congressional panel Thursday that he never intended to break rules requiring failed securities firm MF Global to safeguard client funds. He also said he doesn't know what happened to an estimated $1.2 billion that went missing. Among those who questioned Corzine on Capitol Hill was Congressman Tim Johnson (R-Urbana).
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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business • economy • government • United States • peopleIndiana Gov. Mitch Daniels Talks About Solving Debt Problems
Story air date: Monday, October 03, 2011
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels was in Chicago this week, promoting his new book "Keeping the Republic: Saving America by Trusting Americans." Gov. Daniels writes about the nation’s growing debt problem, especially as it relates to Social Security and Medicare, and he explains how his own policies have helped turn his state’s debts into surpluses. Speaking with Illinois Public Radio’s Michael Puente, Daniels started off by talking about the potential damage of national debt.
(AP Photo/Mel Evans)
