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April 3, 2018 | ||
Morning Spin | ||
Topspin State senators on Tuesday are scheduled to talk about whether Illinois should allow sports gambling if the federal law banning it is ever lifted. The proposal comes from Democratic state Sen. Napoleon Harris, a former NFL linebacker from Harvey. It would allow Illinois casinos to take wagers on amateur, professional and college sports and manage an internet platform for taking bets, provided the online service is limited to state residents. A Senate panel will hear testimony during a committee hearing Tuesday at the Bilandic Building, but no votes are scheduled. Federal law prohibits sports wagering in all but four states, and Harris' proposal would only kick in if that changes. The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a New Jersey case that stems from former Gov. Chris Christie's attempt to legalize sports betting there. Sen. Steve Stadelman, the Senate's Gaming Committee chairman, said Tuesday's hearing is meant to address several lingering questions about what sports betting could look like in Illinois, including how it would be taxed and regulated. He noted that several other states have prepared legislation with the expectation that the Supreme Court will overturn the federal ban. Tom Swoik, a lobbyist with the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, said the organization supports allowing sports betting to make up for business lost to video gambling in bars and restaurants. But he said the tax rates in the existing state proposal are too high. "If the taxes and these fees that are paid to operate sports books are so high, then the payouts can't be as high as sometimes what's being paid out in illegal betting," Swoik said. "People are still going to continue to do the illegal betting because they can get a higher payout." Not included in Harris' bill are regulations for daily fantasy sports. State lawmakers' efforts to rein in companies like FanDuel and DraftKings have stalled in recent years. (Bill Lukitsch) What's on tap *Mayor Rahm Emanuel is in Ireland, where he'll get an honorary degree at National University of Ireland-Galway. *Gov. Bruce Rauner has no public events scheduled. *Attorney General Lisa Madigan will release a report about product recalls. *An Illinois Senate committee meets to talk about sports betting, and an Illinois House committee will talk about election security, both at the Bilandic Building. *The Chicago Community Trust President and CEO Helene D. Gayle will be at the City Club of Chicago. From the notebook *Clinton in Chicago next week: Hillary Clinton is scheduled to speak at a fundraising event in Chicago next week for the Ida B. Wells Legacy Committee, according to the group. It said Clinton will speak at its first fundraising lunch on April 12. The PAC supports African-American women for office and is chaired by Clinton supporter Delmarie Cobb. *Vallas trivia: As his attorney said he would last week, Paul Vallas filed paperwork Monday to start a campaign fund for a mayoral bid. A few bits of trivia could be gleaned from the filing: The fund will be hosted at Busey Bank in Plainfield, and leftover money if the committee folds would go to the Haitian Relief Organization. His campaign treasurer is brother Dean Vallas. What we're writing *Court strikes down Chicago Park District pension plan. *McCarthy floats O'Hare casino plan. *Main bank for Illinois' medical marijuana industry is pulling out, leaving some operators to deal in cash. *Illinois law requires cops to take reports for every sexual assault allegation, get training for sensitivity toward victims. *Lawsuits target ex-Chicago detective, alleging he framed men in murder cases. *Illinois pork farmer on Chinese tariffs: "Our worst fears seem to be coming true." What we're reading *Organizers of last summer's Pokemon Go Fest agree to settle for nearly $1.6 million. *Synthetic pot leaves two dead and dozens hospitalized in Chicago area, central Illinois. *David Axelrod had Charles Barkley on his podcast. Follow the money *Campaign finance reports for the first quarter are due later this month, but early birds are already filing. *Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here. Beyond Chicago *Trump raises idea of Putin visit to White House. *Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dies. *Tech troubles fuel stock drop. *Kentucky teachers rally. Oklahoma teachers walk out. |
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