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Give Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka credit for unveiling a four-year budget recovery plan before the election, rather than relying on the usual candidate cop out that they must get into office and study the matter before they can provide details.
The linchpin of her recovery plan is a land-based casino for Chicago.
The Topinka campaign estimates that the Chicago casino and additional gaming positions at existing casinos would bring in $1.25 billion annually.
Another $1 billion in one-time revenue would be realized from the selling of additional gaming positions and the Chicago casino bid, according to the plan.
The money would play a major role in Topinka's plan to shore up the state's shaky budget, pay bills on time, meet pension fund obligations and provide property tax relief.
Objections have been raised to more gambling, in general - and a Chicago casino, in particular.
However, this is among the few ways for the state to raise a lot of revenue without raising sales and income taxes.
And, unlike tax increases, a casino would also provide construction jobs (an estimated 1,500) and jobs at the casino and related developments.
Additionally, a Chicago casino could make the city more attractive as a convention, trade show and tourism destination.
That also would be an economic boost. And it would mean more out-of-state visitors would be contributing to the state's revenue.
Riverboat casinos have been operating in Illinois without major problems for 15 years.
They don't even have to leave the dock anymore, which blurs the distinction between riverboat and land-based casinos.
Furthermore, the Chicago area has a long history with horse-racing tracks and associated betting.
There already is an unused 10th casino license that has been tied up in legal disputes.
In essence, a Chicago casino would become the "10th casino."
This still represents an expansion of gambling in Illinois. But it is within the context of the existing structure.
There are those who will object on moral and social grounds, citing possible crime and the impact on families of individuals who have gambling problems.
It is important to maintain programs, funded by the casinos, to help those with gambling addictions.
However, these are not strong enough reasons to block a Chicago casino. Such a casino is a logical next step in the path taken in Illinois.
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