Illinois House committee rejects bill to ban ATMs on floating casinos

Thursday, March 2, 2000 | 10:38 a.m.

Every member of the House Executive Committee, which rejected the anti-ATM measure on Wednesday, has accepted campaign contributions from the gambling industry totaling $73,925 in the past six years.

An analysis of campaign records conducted by the St. Louis (Mo.) Post-Dispatch also found that about $60,000 in gambling industry money went to the 13 committee members who voted "no" or "present," which virtually amounts to an abstention.

Only two members supported the bill.

"It's a cash-and-carry legislature," said the Rev. Tom Grey, head of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling. "If you give them cash, they'll carry the legislation."

Grey and other gambling critics say the presence of ATMs contribute to the problems of compulsive gamblers. The gambling industry maintains that the machines are a convenience for customers.

The top recipient of gambling industry contributions was Rep. Brent Hassert, R-Romeoville, who voted "no." He has received more than $18,000 in campaign contributions from casinos since 1994.

"I've seen the dramatic (positive) impact casinos have had on my area. I have to consider how this would effect them," said Hassert, whose Joliet-area district contains three casinos. "I get criticized a lot for taking gaming money, but gaming is big in my area, and (casinos) have done a lot of wonderful things for Joliet. How can I turn my back on them?"

Rep. Robert Bugielski, D-Chicago, said the more than $8,000 in gambling industry contributions he has received was not a factor in his "present" vote.

"Why should we legislate what people can do with their own money?," Bugielski said.

Last year, the state expanded unlimited riverboat casino boarding. Last month, lawmakers rejected proposals that would have raised state taxes on riverboat casinos and banned political contributions from the gambling industry.

To win passage, the ATM measure now would have be attached to an existing bill since Friday is the House deadline for bills to be moved to the Senate for consideration. Gov. George Ryan has said he would support a ban on ATMs on riverboats.