Gaming Board members blast Blagojevich for meddling
Friday, Feb. 25, 2005 | 9:20 a.m.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The two remaining members of the inactive Illinois Gaming Board took their complaints about Gov. Rod Blagojevich to state lawmakers Thursday, blasting the governor for hampering the board's work.
Board members Gary Peterlin and William Dugan told a House gambling committee that Blagojevich's administration has repeatedly interfered with the board. The administration has handed out contracts and hired board employees without permission, they said.
They also complained that Blagojevich used friend and adviser Chris Kelly, who is not on the state payroll, to control negotiations over the fate of a defunct 10th riverboat license.
Blagojevich acknowledges asking Kelly to monitor the Gaming Board for him, but the governor's office said it is ridiculous to accuse Kelly of making threats.
The board members also told lawmakers they were outraged the board hasn't been legally able to meet since last August because there are only two members on the five-member board. That has cost the state millions of dollars in tax revenue and hurt the progress of at least three construction projects at casinos that could provide jobs and boost local economies, they argued.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Binion’s to close all 365 rooms, lay off 100 workers
- Ex-NBA star to pay $12,835 monthly in gambling debt case
- “Last Call!”: Two words you wouldn’t expect to hear on The Strip
- Slot makers team up at behest of CityCenter
- Report: 70 percent of homeowners underwater
- Scuffle in pub parking lot leads to attorney’s arrest
- What reactions to Palin, Stewart say about society
- Now, Rebels must build on big Louisville win
- Nevada leads nation in rate of bankruptcy filings
- LV budget numbers foretell many layoffs
Blogs
The Kats Report
Planet Hollywood's Thomas McCartney headed for Tropicana (13 Comments)
Elsewhere
LV woman robs Kentucky strip club, police say (4 Comments)
Las Vegas Sands' Hong Kong IPO flops (3 Comments)
The Kats Report
Monday List: Top 13 Moments and Observations From Thanksgiving Weekend (4 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Tarkanian: Reid is liberal, out of touch, rude, poisonously partisan and a know-it-all (19 Comments)
The Kats Report
Barry Manilow off to Paris: Two-year deal starts March 5 at Le Theatre des Arts (12 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Ensign survives radio interview with no follow-ups; partial transcript below (11 Comments)
Calendar »
- 1 Tue
- 2 Wed
- 3 Thu
- 4 Fri
- 5 Sat
-
Grand opening of Vdara
Vdara | 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Dik Richie at Moon
Moon Nightclub | 10:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
A Night to Honor Israel at the Cashman Theatre
Cashman Convention Center | 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Ladies night at Feelgoods
Feelgoods
-
Sin City Sinners at VooDoo Lounge
VooDoo Steak & Lounge
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati






