Possible Support for Riverboat Gaming

Illinois Gov. George Ryan signaled he may be willing to support the transfer of a dormant riverboat gaming license to Cook County, despite campaigning against the idea last year. While not explicitly endorsing a specific casino site, he acknowledged without the crucial support of legislators who want riverboat gaming in the county, no gambling package could move forward in the Illinois General Assembly. Cook County is the only Illinois county prohibited by law from having a riverboat casino. Rosemont Mayor Donald Stephens is pushing for a riverboat there, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has endorsed Stephens' bid for a casino. Daley said he is not interested in bringing riverboat gambling to Chicago, but if Rosemont wants the dormant Silver Eagle license, he won't raise objections