Illinois State Gaming Board chairman resigns

Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000 | 2:42 a.m.

Robert Vickrey, a board member since 1992, sent his resignation letter to Gov. George Ryan, who appointed him chairman last summer.

"The governor received a letter today," Ryan spokesman Dennis Culliton said. "He accepted the resignation and thanked Bob for his service and wished him well as he moves forward."

Ryan named Gregory C. Jones, a former federal prosecutor he appointed to the board last summer, as the new chairman.

Anti-gambling activists have been pressing for Vickrey's resignation since the board voted 3-1 on Nov. 30 to approve a $609 million deal for Binion's Horseshoe Gaming to buy the Empress riverboat casinos in Joliet and Hammond, Ind. The regulators' decision, with Vickrey voting in favor and Jones abstaining, came on the last day before deadlines for financing and regulatory approval that could have sunk the deal.

The board has also been at the center of controversy over last spring's legislation allowing owners of a defunct East Dubuque riverboat to move their casino license to the Chicago suburban of Rosemont. The legislation requires regulators to approve the deal, but critics have blasted the Gaming Board for dropping their earlier attempts to revoke the license.

Vickrey made no mention of the controversies in his letter, instead saying the part-time Gaming Board job was increasingly taking time away from his full-time responsibilities as a businessman in LaSalle.

"I choose this point in time because our January meeting has no owner licensee renewals on the agenda, and the beginning of a New Year is a logical time for change," Vickrey wrote.

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