Glen Carbon, IL…The Illinois House Executive Committee held a public hearing today in Chicago to discuss gaming expansion in Illinois. State Representative Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon) participated in the hearing to express his opposition to Representative Rita's amendment which would exclude Fairmont Race Track from obtaining a casino license if this gaming bill becomes law.
“I am optimistic Fairmont will be included in the legislation,” said Rep. Kay. “It is unconscionable to think that a single Illinois race track would be deliberately excluded from this bill.”
SB 1739 would also divert 90% of the revenue generated at Fairmont to East St. Louis (45%) and Alton (45%), leaving Collinsville with only 10% of the revenue. Collinsville will incur increased costs to provide police protection, fire protection, and improving and maintaining roads and infrastructure. Rep. Kay was very concerned with the proposed revenue allocation.
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“The bill in its current form is erroneous and unfair to the people of my district and the stakeholders at Fairmont,” Rep. Kay added. “Sending 90% of the revenue outside of Collinsville is nonsense. The city of Collinsville should not be forced to bail out East St. Louis. This is a major gaming expansion bill that allows all horse race tracks to obtain a casino license and if amended would exclude Fairmont Race Track which is simply not fair.”
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