I tend to agree with you about the need in Waukegan more than in Rosemont. However the gaming laws in Illinois have evolved a little to be more than just assist impovershed and depressed areas. There is a big desire on the part of politicians to raise money for spending. Ie. raising the casino taxes in Illinois from 52%, if I recall correctly, to 75% last summer. That was intended as a way to recoup the $250m that was being lost by the state due to the idled Emerald license. The result, in a time when gaming revenues in the region have surged has been that the state recouped somewhere around $40m on that. The rest of all that money including all those gains have gone to Indiana and Iowa. Illinois, according to reports, has actually lost percentages of the gaming market. So, there has to also be an interest on the part of the state to make more tax money. That is where the Rosemont location is beneficial. It will draw more tourist business through it's proximity to the convention center, hotels and O'Hare. I really don't think it would hurt Aurora or Elgin or Joliet that much because it would be attracting new gamblers to the area and would probably be so busy that the other places would still be highly desirable for the local players. I go to Hollywood, most, myself and don't think that is really that inconvenient. I would probably continue to go out there for an evening rather than the potential crowd that Rosemont would attract.

I think a Casino in Waukegan would be just as much a draw from Elgin as one in Rosemont. As for east west they are probably not much further than eachother. Elgin. I think would be near half way between the two locations. A casino in Waukegan would certainly have a benefit in that it might draw more market share by attracting players from Wisconsin.

Regarding the tracks. My understanding is that it was the establishment of the boats that started to hurt Arlington, Sportsman and Hawthorn. I do recall the Emerald deal having something to do with generating some money that would be fed into those tracks. I am not big though on having one business generate a gratuitus income for another. Taking money from a private business like a Rosemont Casino and giving it to the tracks doesn't seem right. I would be more in favor of limited gaming at the tracks though. So that they could generate some more revenue and be able to compete better head to head. I would favor only having such gaming operate while the track is open and running races. Video Poker with limits at $1 perhaps or maybe .25. Maybe some limited card rooms that offer Blackjack and maybe Poker. I would not favor full service casinos though. I believe someone once promoted enlarging the water in the infield at Arlington, Calling it a lake and building a riverboat in the middle of it....

Whatever happens with this, I think it is just a start. Blago is already wavering on the issue of gaming in Illinois. If I recall, he was against expansion when he ran for gov. Mayor Daly emhatically, I recall, over the Meigs debates... stated that he DID NOT WANT A CASINO IN CHICAGO and would be against it saying that he felt it would be bad for Chicago. Now that Blagojovich is Governor Daly seems all in favor of it. Now there is a lot of talk of more casino licenses. Among them new licenses in and owned BY the City of Chicago, along with licenses elsewhere. Remember this license we are talking about is NOT a new license. It is the stalled Emerald License. It has also been proposed to increase the number of gaming positions at the existing casinos allowing the current licenses to add more slots, tables and VP etc. Allowing Slots and VP at the tracks and even legalizing Video Poker in Illinois. The last suggestion I only heard once, in the last couple months, and I don't know much about that idea.

Was just rereading your post to see if I missed something. The Indian Casino. Can't remember the tribe but it was one of the tribes that has ties to this area. I think you are talking of the Hoffman Estates Proposal. I don't know much about that. I would think though that no matter where they put this license, that in combination would probably pose a serious problem to all the casinos in this area.

To close as I have probably gone on enough, Based on the primary objective of the state the only real locations should be Waukegan to revitalize an area in the tradition of the original legislation. To give an economic lift to a depressed area. Or, generate new business and tax dollars to the state and the whole area by putting it in Rosemont where it will draw travelers and conventions etc. to the Chicago and generate business all over the area. Not just Rosemont. Like I said, in my original post, I don't know about putting it in Desplanes. I don't know the location for the proposed casino but I don't think it could be as well situated as the location in Rosemont right there among the Allstate Arena, Rosmont Theater(?), The Convention Center, All the hotels.....