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Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
For Further Information,Contact:
January 7, 2011
Doug Dobmeyer, 773/338-9825
Cell: 312/315-6887
CBS – 60 Minutes to Air Sunday's Show on
Electronic Poker Machines
House Considers SB737, Gambling
Expansion to Chicago and Illinois House
( Chicago , IL …) The CBS news program, 60 Minutes on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 6 P.M. CST will have a segment on video poker machines that include slot machines. Currently in the U.S. there are twice as many slots as there are ATM machines. A brief promo of the show can be viewed at: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7220372n&tag=contentMain;contentBody
At the same time the Illinois House is considering SB737, a gambling expansion bill that would make Illinois a high profile predatory gambling state. The draft bill recently underwent a makeover and added slots at Chicago 's two airports.
Position of the Task Force: The Task Force to Oppose Gambling for Chicago is calling on the Illinois Legislature to reject SB737, gambling expansion to Chicago with 4,000 gambling positions; slots at Chicago's two airports; expansion of gambling positions by 7,200 at current casinos; expansion of slot machines to Chicago's airports; placement of four new casinos in Rockford, Danville and two suburbs of Park City (Lake Co) and an undisclosed location in south Cook Co; placement of slot machines at Illinois racetracks; expansion of gambling positions at current riverboat casinos and allocation of state money to county fairs to foster wagering on racing.
Doug Dobmeyer, Spokesperson for the Task Force said, "We know the gambling expansion is gamesmanship to bring sorely needed revenue into the state. At the same time a 2.25 percent income tax is being considered. The tax is the fairer way to have income for the state without disrupting the culture of a family environment in the state and Chicago ."
Dobmeyer added, " Chicago is in the midst of replacing a long time mayor. A vast majority of recently polled candidates for mayor and aldermen are opposed to a casino and video poker machines in Chicago . The citizens of the city have not been asked or given the opportunity to vote on the concept of a casino for the city. Instead a coalition of suburban and downstate legislators wishes to impose a casino on the city."
This public policy issue has resurrected itself in the 2010 lame duck Veto session. Efforts are also being made to overturn Chicago 's current ban on video poker machines. If successful more than 15,000 machines could be placed in the 50 wards and reduce income by $500,000, 000 annually. If SB737 becomes law and the video poker ban is overturned, Illinois would become the number one predatory gambling state in the nation.
A major concern of more gambling is, it draws low-income people and problem gamblers to support the
gambling business. This disrupts family's efforts to educate children and meet the basics of family life, especially during the recession the country is immersed in.
Where: On CBS, Sunday Evening – Check Local Listings
When: Sunday, January 8, 6:00 PM - Check Local Listings
Follow up Interviews: An interview can be scheduled with Doug Dobmeyer, Task Force spokesperson by calling 312/315-6887.
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Doug Dobmeyer
Spokesperson
Task Force to Oppose Gambling in Chicago
5801 N. Sheridan Road, Apt. 3-E
Chicago, IL 60660
Landline phone: 773/728-2661
Cell: 312/315-6887
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