{"id":107644,"date":"2019-06-24T05:11:30","date_gmt":"2019-06-24T12:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=107644"},"modified":"2019-06-24T05:11:30","modified_gmt":"2019-06-24T12:11:30","slug":"mayor-lori-lightfoot-scrutinized-for-ties-to-those-who-may-benefit-from-chicago-gambling-expansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/mayor-lori-lightfoot-scrutinized-for-ties-to-those-who-may-benefit-from-chicago-gambling-expansion\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Lori Lightfoot Scrutinized for Ties to Those Who May Benefit from Chicago Gambling Expansion\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing questions about potential conflicts when it comes to gambling expansion in the Windy City given her friends, contributors and former business associates.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is being questioned about past contacts in light of a casino proposal in the city. (Image: NBC Chicago)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Chicago Sun-Times<\/em> reported that some of Lightfoot\u2019s campaign contributors, clients at Mayer Brown — where she formerly worked as an attorney — and many friends, have ties to those who may take part in the state\u2019s new gaming opportunities.<\/p>\n

The issues arise as questions surface on who will operate Chicago\u2019s first casino and where it will be located. There is also a lot of interest in planned slot machines at O\u2019Hare International and Midway airports.<\/p>\n

Lightfoot Could Be Influential on Gaming Initiative<\/h2>\n

Many of these decisions formally will be made by the Illinois Gaming Board<\/a>. But the new mayor\u2019s input is likely to be influential in the process.<\/p>\n

\n

In response, Lightfoot told the newspaper neither campaign donations nor relationships will influence her decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to play by the book,\u201d Lightfoot was quoted.<\/p>\n

Among the names that have surfaced with ties to Lightfoot are: casino operator Neil Bluhm, Bluhm\u2019s family and Kentucky horse-track operator Churchill Downs, the Sun-Times<\/em> reported. Bluhm\u2019s daughter, Leslie Bluhm, is friends with Lightfoot and the two were classmates at law school.<\/p>\n

Leslie Bluhm and her sister Meredith Bluhm-Wolf donated $212,500 to Lightfoot\u2019s campaign for mayor, the newspaper reported. Other donors also have connections with the businesses.<\/p>\n

Owners of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines include Bluhm, his relatives and Churchill Downs, the news report said. They may apply to operate the new Chicago venue.<\/p>\n

So far, Lightfoot has avoided revealing her location preferences for the proposed gaming venue in Chicago. Nor has she announced preferences for casino operators.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Revenue from the Chicago gaming venue will be divided in thirds among the city, state and the private owner. So, the city is looking forward to the property as a key source of revenue.<\/p>\n

Gambling legislation that was approved earlier this month by the Illinois legislature requires that an outside study be completed on expanding gaming. It will review if the initiative makes sense financially for Chicago.<\/p>\n

The study will likely take several months. Additional legislation may be needed following the recommendations from the consultant.<\/p>\n

Pritzker Yet to Sign Bill<\/h2>\n

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has yet to sign the far-reaching gaming bill. He does favor it.<\/p>\n

After its legislative approval, Pritzker praised the final version and noted how many earlier attempts failed. He added that the bill will keep more gamblers in the state rather than having them go to neighboring locations.<\/p>\n

The legislation calls for opening five additional casinos beyond the one in Chicago. Currently, Illinois has 10 casinos and they could soon offer wagering on athletic events.<\/p>\n

The current casinos will be able to up the number of slot machines and table games by about 70 percent, according to Bloomberg News<\/em>. Also, the bill permits a horse track to be opened in the south suburbs near Chicago.<\/p>\n

In addition, horse tracks now in operation would provide patrons slot machines and table games. They would also offer sports betting, the legislation said.<\/p>\n

Large stadiums, such as Wrigley Field, can provide sports betting under the bill. It allows for wagering inside the ballpark or in a five-block radius.<\/p>\n

The Chicago Cubs<\/a> are looking into sports betting either at Wrigley Field or nearby, the Sun-Times<\/em> said. Laura Ricketts, whose family owns the Cubs, donated $52,500 to Lightfoot\u2019s campaign, the newspaper reported.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The license for that level of exclusivity around the field would cost $10 million. Licensing fees for less expansive gaming venues are a lower price.<\/p>\n

Limited online sports betting will be implemented after an 18-month delay, under the proposal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing questions about potential conflicts when it comes to gambling expansion in the Windy City given her friends, contributors and former business associates. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that some of Lightfoot\u2019s campaign contributors, clients at Mayer Brown — where she formerly worked as an attorney — and many friends, have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":107647,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33810,13],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMayor Lori Lightfoot Scrutinized for Ties to Those Who May Benefit from Chicago Gambling Expansion\u00a0 - Casino.org Mayor Lori Lightfoot Scrutinized for Ties to Those Who May Benefit from Chicago Gambling Expansion\u00a0<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing questions about potential conflicts when it comes to gambling expansion in the Windy City given her friends, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing questions about potential conflicts when it comes to gambling expansion in the Windy City. In response, Lightfoot said neither campaign donations nor relationships will influence her decisions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mayor Lori Lightfoot Scrutinized for Ties to Those Who May Benefit from Chicago Gambling Expansion\u00a0 - Casino.org Mayor Lori Lightfoot Scrutinized for Ties to Those Who May Benefit from Chicago Gambling Expansion\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing questions about potential conflicts when it comes to gambling expansion in the Windy City given her friends, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing questions about potential conflicts when it comes to gambling expansion in the Windy City. 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