Report: Rosemont mayor got $96,000 from gambling interests

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000 | 9:27 a.m.

Changes in state law included an amendment that could land a casino in the Chicago suburb, although a lawsuit may foil the plan.

According to a report in today's Daily Herald newspaper, the biggest contributions to Stephens' political fund included $42,000 from Emerald Casino Inc., which is currently building a gambling barge in Rosemont.

Campaign records also show that Stephens got $27,000 from family members of Arlington Race Course owner Richard Duchossois and one of his family's companies. The gambling provisions Stephens helped secure included lucrative subsidies for the race course.

Records show that another $25,000 came from family members of California billionaire Marvin Davis, who is suing Emerald for a share of the Rosemont casino's profits. Stephen received an additional $19,500 from casino-related construction companies, law firms and a public relations firm that represents the state's casino gaming association.

"This is the fiefdom of Rosemont, and king Don is getting his tribute," said the Rev. Tom Grey, a United Methodist minister who heads the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling.

Gary Mack, a spokesman for Stephens, declined to comment on the gambling-related contributions. He did, however, note that Stephens' fund - which has more than $618,000 that he can distribute to other political candidates - is among the most well-organized in the state.

Between July 1 and Jan. 31, non-gambling contributions to Stephens' fund totaled nearly $350,000.