Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Court to hear taxpayer challenge to gambling law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge from a taxpayer watchdog group to a 1999 law that allowed a defunct riverboat casino license to move to Rosemont and set off years of legal wrangling.

The court agreed without explanation to hear the case filed by taxpayer Philip Crusius and backed by the Better Government Association.

The lawsuit against the Illinois Gaming Board contends the law that allowed the defunct East Dubuque riverboat to move to the Chicago suburb was unconstitutional special legislation designed to benefit only that license.

Two lower courts have rejected the lawsuit and upheld the law, including the First District Appellate Court's decision in March that there was a "reasonable basis" for the Legislature to favor Emerald Casino, which now owns the defunct license.

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